Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Dara Calleary for raising this important issue. I assure the Deputy that I always go back to my Tuam and Galway roots. I also assure the House that the Government is committed to enhancing primary care services, including general practice services. This is central to the Government objective of delivering a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective health service. Our goal is to ensure that patients throughout the country continue to have access to GP services, and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. It is imperative that existing GP services are retained and that the new general practice remains an attractive career option for newly qualified general practitioners.

The number of GPs on the Medical Council specialist register continues to increase. They have increased from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,723 as of 1 January 2019. The number of GPs holding General Medical Services, GMS, contracts has also risen from 2,098 in 2008 to almost 2,500 in 2019.

The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of demographic factors. In recent years, the Government has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice. GP training places have been increased from 120 in 2009 to 202 in 2019, an increase of almost 70% over this ten-year period. As stated in the programme for Government, the intention is to continue to achieve annual increases in the number of training places available.

Entry provisions to the GMS scheme have been changed to accommodate more flexible GMS contracts. The retirement age for GPs has been extended to 72 years. An enhanced support package for rural practices has been introduced with improved qualifying criteria and an increased financial allowance of €20,000 per annum. The Government is also committed to engaging with GP representatives on the development of modernised GP contractual arrangements - one of the points raised by Deputy Calleary.

A talks process is underway between the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO. Discussions are ongoing in an effort to bring matters to a conclusion. Agreement on the delivery on a range of service improvements and contractual reforms has the potential to facilitate a substantial increase in the resourcing of general practice on a multiannual basis. The HSE is fully committed to ensuring GP services continue to be provided to people in Bangor Erris, County Mayo. The HSE has confirmed that it will immediately advertise the GMS panel concerned and will explore all options available to ensure GP services continue to be provided in the area into the future.

The current GP will continue to provide services until the end of March. The HSE will ensure locum arrangements are in place following this to ensure patients continue to have access to a GP service, pending the appointment of a GP to take over the panel permanently.

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