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General Practitioner Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (538, 540, 541, 542)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

538. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in the Newbridge area of County Kildare; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2963/22]

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Patricia Ryan

Question:

540. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in Monasterevin, County Kildare; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2965/22]

View answer

Patricia Ryan

Question:

541. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in Kildare town, County Kildare; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2966/22]

View answer

Patricia Ryan

Question:

542. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of general practitioners in Athy, County Kildare; his plans to encourage general practitioners to set up in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2967/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 538, 540, 541 and 542 together.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.

These measures include an increase in investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023 under the terms of the 2019 GMS GP Agreement. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those working in disadvantaged urban areas. Improved family friendly arrangements are also provided under the GP Agreement, with an increase in the locum rate for maternity

and paternity cover, and an increase in the paternity leave allowance from 3 days to 2 weeks. This is in recognition of the need to ensure that general practice is compatible with doctors’ family commitments.

In addition, the number of GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with plans for further increases in future years.

Overall, these measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.

Currently there are more than 2,500 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme and as of 1 December 2021, 26 panels, or approximately 1%, are vacant. In relation to the availability of GP services in Newbridge, Athy, Monasterevin, and Kildare town, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

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