Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this matter. I am responding to this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

General practitioners are a vital part of our health service, providing care to patients throughout their lives as well as providing patients with access to the wider health service. GPs are private practitioners. The HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services and most GPs - currently over 2,550 - hold a General Medical Services, GMS, contract to provide GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Accordingly, as self-employed practitioners, GPs themselves, rather than the HSE, choose where they establish their practices.

At present, the HSE advises that a GP primarily located in the Blessington practice provides a service in Ballymore Eustace two mornings a week, with additional emergency appointments provided there as required and appointments also available at the Blessington practice. It is understood the GP has capacity on those mornings to provide same-day appointments.

Senator O'Loughlin provided further information, which I will bring to the Minister. I am uncertain whether the Senator has had meetings with the HSE locally. I suggest she follow up directly with the Minister by communicating with her, in writing, the additional points she raised.

It is acknowledged that there is a need to increase the number of GP practices across the country to improve access to GP services. To this end, several measures have been undertaken in recent years to increase our GP workforce. Investment in general practice was increased by over €210 million per annum under the 2019 GP agreement, providing for increased GP payments, increased support for practices and new services. The 2023 agreement further increased investment, increasing GP payments again and providing €30 million specifically for new and increased practice supports.

According to the Irish College of General Practitioners, it has received almost 1,800 applications for the 2025 GP training programme. This is more than in any previous year and beats the previous record set the previous year. This reflects positively on the steps taken to increase the attraction of general practice as a career. The number of doctors entering GP training increased by 80% between 2019 and 2024. From 2024 onwards, 350 new-entrant training places have been made available, with 346 new entrants to GP training last year, a 21% increase on the previous year’s intake of 286. The number of GPs graduating has increased in recent years and will further increase significantly in the coming years due to the increased number of new entrants.

In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad continues under the international medical graduate, IMG, rural GP programme. As of November last year, 119 IMG GPs were in practice and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs into Ireland this year. Placement of these GPs is targeted at rural and deprived urban areas.

It should be mentioned that there are significant supports in place for practices in rural areas. These supports were increased under the 2019 GP agreement. Furthermore, a strategic review of general practice is under way which is examining issues related to GP capacity. It will specifically consider possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to rural and under-served areas. When completed, a report will be presented to the Minister for Health containing recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice across the country.

While a GP cannot be directed to open a practice in Ballymore Eustace, increasing our GP workforce should see access to GP services improved for all patients, including those in the area in question and surrounding areas.

I ask Senator O'Loughlin to elaborate on the chronology regarding the provision of GP services in Ballymore Eustace to give some further context. I will respond and perhaps the Senator will then follow up with the Minister.