Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
342. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if up to 915 general practitioners are set to retire from general practice in the next three to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mandatory retirement age for GPs under the current GMS contract is 72 years of age, having been increased from 70 years of age in 2015.
Information on the number of GPs who will reach the age of 72 in any given year, or the number of GPs who have given notice of their intention to retire before they reach the mandatory retirement age, is not routinely provided to my Department. Therefore, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
The Deputy will understand that it is not possible to predict the number of GPs who may decide to cease practicing for reasons other than reaching retirement age in the next three to five years.
