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

I reiterate the Government's commitment to ensuring that patients throughout the country continue to have access to quality general practitioner services. The Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners are committed to working together to improve recruitment and retention in general practice over the coming years. I take the Senator's point and note his story about the local farmer being able to get a vet in a matter of hours. I also take his point on the progress of the talks. The goal of the current phase of the GP contract talks is to reform and modernise the existing General Medical Services, GMS, contract. This will be key to making general practice a more attractive career to young doctors.

In respect of GP services in counties Cavan and Monaghan, I assure the Senator that the HSE is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the current GMS vacancies are filled as soon as possible. In the meantime, local arrangements are in place to ensure services to this community are retained while the recruitment processes are under way. Of course, the Senator has a very valid point on the other issue of GPs in rural areas. I will bring these major concerns back to the Minister, Deputy Harris.