Some hospital services may be curtailed or cancelled as a result of a shortage of doctors from July 1st, the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association (IHCA) has said.
Assistant general secretary of the IHCA, Donal Duffy, said a number of junior posts could become vacant as recently qualified Irish doctors seek jobs abroad.
Mr Duffy said the HSE has revised the recognised number of specialised training places for qualified doctors, with 4,800 to remain in place for the next year.
“They were going to propose there be 3,600 junior doctor posts in Irish hospitals, and there are currently 4,800. So, 1,200 would no longer being recognised for training purposes by the HSE, making them unattractive to potential applicants."
The issue is now a decision for the Medical Council, Mr Duffy said.