Skip to main content
Normal View

General Practitioner Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Questions (712)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

712. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the action his Department plans to take to ensure an increase in the number of general practitioners practising in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6316/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.

Several measures to increase the number of practising GPs have been undertaken in recent years. Changes have been made to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to facilitate more flexible/shared GMS contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme. An enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was also introduced.

Recent developments in relation to general practice, in particular the 2019 Agreement on Contractual Reform and Service Development, have helped to re-establish general practice in Ireland as an attractive career choice. The additional investment, which will amount to €210 million annually once the Agreement is fully implemented, provides for an increase in capitation fees, improved maternity and paternity arrangements as well as increased rural practice supports. In addition, targeted on-going funding of €2 million will also be set aside to provide additional support to practices in deprived urban areas.

The number of entrants to GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with large increases made in recent years. Further increases are expected as responsibility for training has transferred from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners.

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. The wider reforms in the health service will also help to provide an atmosphere in which the practice of medicine in Ireland will remain attractive.

Top
Share