Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the important role that GPs play in the delivery of our health service and their commitment to providing a responsive and high-quality out-of-hours service to patients. This has never been more visible than in recent months but at any time it is a key strength in the delivery of healthcare. The Senator is quite right that GPs are the beating heart of most communities, and it is a significant source of comfort to residents to know that there is a GP close at hand. I accept that retaining GPs in practices is a major challenge; it is something I have witnessed in my constituency where a GP left and a new GP only replaced that person three years later. I understand that the demands of the out-of-hours commitment has been particularly challenging for GPs in rural areas and CHO west where there are gaps in the Westdoc service. The Minister acknowledges that. I reiterate that the Government is committed to ensuring that patients throughout the country continue to have access to quality GP services and I will bring the Senator's concerns to the Minister.