John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. While the question was directed to the Minister for Health, it is not at all inappropriate that it is being taken on his behalf today by the Minister of State, because of her remit with regard to rural development and rural areas. While it is not directly under the aegis of her Department, one of the newest challenges facing rural Ireland is for rural communities, towns and villages, to retain their GP services. This is a relatively new phenomenon.According to my information, the HSE is experiencing chronic difficulty in filling vacancies where GPs have retired in 30 to 40 towns and villages in various regions throughout the country. In itself, this reflects a change of emphasis which we have seen manifested in other areas. A GP practice is no longer necessarily a vocational pursuit. Rather, it is often viewed as a career. These days, it must stack up as a business and a sustainable proposition, it must be feasible, and it must meet the demands and lifestyle expectations of people and families.

In particular, I wish to raise with the Minister of State the anxiety and alarm developing in my county, County Laois, due to the ongoing process and the length of time it is taking to find a GP replacement for the village of Borris-in-Ossory. The incumbent, Dr. Seamus Fitzgerald, a long-serving practitioner who has given sterling, loyal, committed and dedicated service, is retiring of his own volition. I wish him a happy, healthy and lengthy retirement. The process to replace him commenced as far back as last November. I am heartened to learn that there have been a number of expressions of interest. Indeed, perhaps up to four qualified candidates were interviewed for the competition to replace the incumbent, Dr. Fitzgerald. However, the vacancy looms large and will arise within a week's time at the end of March.

I hope the Minister of State will have a positive reply today to the effect that the Borris-in-Ossory vacancy has been resolved and successfully addressed by the HSE. In that context there is a wider issue that needs to be considered by the Minister for Health when he is negotiating the GP contract with GPs and the Irish Medical Organisation. A new trend is developing whereby new and younger doctors and practitioners are no longer willing to embrace general practices in smaller towns and villages throughout rural Ireland. As I have said, up to 40 vacancies exist at the moment, and this will accelerate unless it is addressed. With respect, this needs to be addressed by ensuring that the rural practice allowance is restored and that it is sufficient to make the practice attractive, feasible and sustainable. Moreover, we need to address the terms and conditions being sought from GPs, including the rents sought for the clinics they use in these town and villages. Towns and villages such as Borris-in-Ossory are not as lucrative as larger urban areas in the city of Dublin and so on. It is my understanding that the HSE is looking for an extortionate rent of €25 per square metre from the new GP for the clinic in Borris-in-Ossory. This is punitive. It is not consistent with the current market value and it puts a great strain on any doctor trying to provide a dedicated and committed service in Borris-in-Ossory and its extensive hinterland.