Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
396. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in GP GMS contracts nationally; and his views on whether only 306 new general practitioners with GMS contracts from 2008 to 2018 is low. [50586/18]
View answerThe number of GPs holding a GMS contract has risen from 2,098 in 2008 to 2,500 as at 1 November 2018. GPs have both entered and exited the GMS scheme during this period, although overall numbers holding contracts have risen each year. At the end of 2017, 644 GPs had been awarded GMS contracts under Open Entry arrangements since entry to the GMS scheme was opened to all fully qualified and vocationally trained GPs in 2012.
The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of demographic factors, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.
GP training places have been increased from 120 in 2009 to 193 in 2018 and the Government's objective is to continue to achieve annual increases in the number of training places available while ensuring that all of the places are filled.
Entry provisions to the GMS scheme have been changed to accommodate more flexible GMS contracts and the retirement age has been extended to 72. An enhanced support package for rural practices has been introduced with improved qualifying criteria and an increased financial allowance of €20,000 per annum.
The Government remains committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice remains an attractive career option.
As the number of GMS vacancies nationally is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to provide this information directly to the Deputy.
