Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for her reply. Does she accept that the ratio in this State of 0.6 GPs to every 1,000 of the population is a major problem? This ratio compares to an EU average of one GP to every 1,000 of the population. This ratio falls even further in more disadvantaged areas such as north Dublin where its stands at one GP to every 2,500 of the population. This issue was also recently raised at Carrickmacross Town Council where a Government party councillor highlighted the fact that some locals had been forced to travel as far away as Dundalk to attend a GP. A 2007 study found that one in every four of paying patients in the 26 counties who had a health problem did not attend a GP because of the issue of affordability. That is another alarming fact that must be taken on board.

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