Minister for Health James Reilly has acknowledged that the country's 475 junior doctor posts will likely not all be filled by 11 July.
That is the date when doctors' posts are rotated as part of their training.
Mr Reilly told the Dáil that 221 posts had been filled already, leaving 254 vacancies.
He said a recruitment drive had taken place in India and Pakistan during which 439 suitable candidates were identified.
He said contingency arrangements were being devised to ensure the impact on service would be minimised, but he acknowledged it would most likely be smaller hospitals that are affected by the shortage.
Replying to a question from Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, the minister said he could not identify as yet which hospitals would be hit but he said larger hospitals had to be a priority.
Responding to a question from Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher, Dr Reilly said that HIQA reports on Ennis and Mallow General would not be used to close smaller hospitals.
