Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 and 327 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As of the start of this month, there are 2,526 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme, and a further 602 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service.

In relation to the numbers of HSE contacted GPs working in Cork, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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329. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress to date of the strategic taskforce on general practice; when he expects the taskforce to publish its conclusions; to set out the groups and individuals contacted to date in the work of the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18604/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health and the HSE commenced the Strategic Review of General Practice last year and the review is currently underway. With input from key stakeholders, the review is examining a range of issues affecting general practice including GP training, GP capacity, Out of Hours services reform, the eHealth Agenda, and the financial support model for general practice. The Review will then identify the arrangements necessary to improve the current system of GP care as part of a primary care-focused health service.

Further to external stakeholder engagement with the IMO and the ICGP, the Strategic Review has also engaged with, and received submissions from, the following organisations: the IMNO (Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation), Nursing Homes Ireland, the AUDGPI (Association of University Departments of General Practice in Ireland), the IGPNEA (Irish General Practice Nurses Educational Association), the ICGP NEGs (Network of Establishing GPs) Group, Deep End Ireland, the IAANMP (Irish Association of Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners) and GP ANP (Advance Nurse Practitioner) Ireland group. Further individuals and groups may be contacted or provide submissions prior to the Review's completion.

The review is to be completed this year. Following its completion, a report is to be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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330. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the number of single-person GP practices, by county, registered with the GMS; the number of two-person GP practices, by county, registered with the GMS; the number of larger GP practices, by county, registered with the GMS, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18605/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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331. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a central register of locum GPs available for general practice in the State; the number of locum GPs paid from the GMS in 2023; if he is satisfied that there is adequate locum GP cover available to meet requirements in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18606/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE to provide services without charge to patients who hold a medical card or a GP visit card. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for the provision of those services primarily on a capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service.

GPs contracted under the GMS scheme with a panel size of 100 patients or more receive a contribution towards the cost of securing locum cover for certain types of leave such as annual leave and sick leave.

While the HSE provides a contribution towards locum expenses for leave taking purposes to GPs under the GMS contract, as private practitioners, locum cover is arranged by the GP concerned as necessary. The HSE does not maintain a central register of locum GPs. The relevant HSE Community Health Organisation may assist a GMS GP in providing locum cover where possible.

In recognition of the challenges faced by GPs in rural areas in obtaining locum cover, the GP Agreement 2023 provides for the implementation of a HSE/IMO pilot initiative to support GPs in receipt of the Rural Practice Support Framework to source locum cover for approved leave periods. Development of this initiative is ongoing.