Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like the Government to address a number of issues concerning the contract. There are four main issues resulting in considerable pressure in general practice. One is the application of the FEMPI legislation. It was applied to general practice in a very disproportionate manner. Some 40% of the support structures to finance general practice were removed under FEMPI, which was unfair. This has had a devastating effect on general practice.

The second aspect is that the contract needs to be flexible. A one-size-fits-all contract will not help general practice. We need flexible contracts, part-time contracts and, perhaps, salaried GPs.

Third, there is a manpower crisis in general practice. Some 20% of GPs are over the age of 60 and will retire soon. Our new graduates are not coming into general practice because of the unattractive nature of the contract. Established GPs are leaving the country to move to more attractive areas.

Finally, our out-of-hours services are struggling to cope with the lack of indigenous GPs and locum GPs to man them.

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