Cathal Crowe
Question:669. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if grants are available to help a GP set up a new practice facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34945/23]
View answerThursday, 13 July 2023
Questions (669, 670)
Cathal Crowe
Question:670. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if there is any funding stream by which a community can undertake capital works to facilitate the establishment of a GP practice in their locality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34946/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 670 together.
GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
General practitioners who hold a GMS contract are reimbursed for the services they provide to medical card and GP visit card holders on behalf of the HSE. GMS GPs are remunerated through capitation payments and fee-per-item payments for certain services, and GP practices also receive a range of financial supports.
Under the GMS scheme, GPs are paid a subsidy towards the cost of employing a practice nurse and/or a practice secretary. The rate payable depends on the GP's GMS panel size and the level of experience of the nurse or secretary. A practice manager subsidy is also available. GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria will qualify for an annual rural support allowance, and contributions are also made towards locum costs for various GP leave arrangements.
Additional capacity supports are to be made available, as part of the recently announced agreement reached with the IMO to extend eligibility for GP visit cards to people who earn up to the median household income and to children aged 6 & 7, to enable the expansion and retention of staffing within general practice.
Other than the practice supports provided under the GMS scheme financial supports specific to the establishment of practices are not provided.
Question No. 670 answered with Question No. 669.