Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No one who lives in Lucan, as I do, can sign up as a new patient with a GP; their books are full. However, as the census will show, it is a rapidly growing area, home to not one but two strategic development zones. Despite Sláintecare, people cannot access their medical first port of call, the GP in their community. A constituent has been waiting for four years to get on a GP's books. Because she is a private patient, there is no support or intervention for her. Fourteen GPs in Lucan take medical card patients but it is not enough for our growing population. Last year 223 doctors began GP training. What policies will the Taoiseach introduce to keep them in Ireland and encourage them to practise in growing communities like Lucan?

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