Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With due respect, that is not correct. A locum is covering the practice and all patients have access to GP services. HSE South-East has advertised the post, but, unfortunately, there have been no applicants to date. However, the filling of the Bansha post is under consideration by the HSE. This consideration includes whether supports may be necessary in order to attract a suitable applicant to take on the post. For the information of the Deputy, there are no other GP vacancies in either south or north Tipperary and the next retirement in north Tipperary is not due until 2017. Therefore, the situation is not as bad as the Deputy has outlined. He is correct to raise concerns, but the HSE is responding and the service is being retained for the patients.

On 1 November, there were just 20 GMS lists, out of a national total of over 2,400, without a permanent GP in place. That is far from the accusation made by the Deputy in regard to the Government closing GP practices. That accusation is simply not true. Eight of the 20 vacancies are in rural areas with less than 1,500 people. However, the full range of GP services to patients continues to be provided for the patients concerned, through either a locum GP or a neighbouring GP. This will continue.

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