Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I assure the Deputy that my head is firmly up in the air. There is a lot of work going on in this area. However, as the she and I know from talking to GPs, not just in our county but also across the country, it is not just about the number of GPs. It is also about the supports they want to allow them to hire more nurses, the triaging of patients and out-of-hours services. The Deputy referred to GPs leaving the country. The figures I put on the record show that GPs are coming to Ireland. Some 118 GPs have chosen to come to Ireland and it their home. They are very welcome, and we are thankful for them being here. They are already in practice and treating patients. A further 18 are in the process of completing the course. There are plans to get the number up to 250.

Let me be clear that I am aware of - and am not in any way disputing - the huge challenges that exist in terms of capacity. People are waiting too long too see a GP. There is a need to ramp up capacity in general practice further, not just the number of doctors but also the number of support staff. The Deputy's point about salaried GPs is a serious and constructive one. I take the point that we were dealing with a new model. We found a way forward in respect of that. I would like to see an acceleration of the roll-out of salaried GPs. I will ask the Minister for Health to liaise directly with the Deputy on that.

See this speech in context