I acknowledge that General Practice has been through a difficult period. The Agreement on GP Contractual Reform and Service Development concluded in April this year sets out a range of measures which we are implementing in cooperation with GPs everywhere, and also a very substantial increase of €210 million in the resources we allocate to GPs by 2023.
The Agreement includes measures aimed specifically at rural GPs, such as an increase of 10% in the rural GP allowance and an increase in the allowance paid to dispensing GPs. In addition, the Agreement sets out the requirement to undertake a strategic review of GP services within the Agreement’s lifetime.