Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures he will put in place to increase the number of general practitioners, particularly in view of the shortage of GPs in many areas, including large working class areas in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7549/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans to increase the number of general practitioners here in advance of implementing universal health insurance. [7527/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 61 together.

There are some 2,600 General Practitioners (GPs) in active practice (full and part time) in the State with another 300 doctors working as locums. The HSE has contracts with some 2,200 GPs for the provision of services to medical card and GP visit card patients under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme.

The Programme for Government provides that during the term of this Government, GP training places will be increased, GPs will be encouraged to defer retirement and GPs will be recruited from abroad. In addition, the EU/IMF programme provides for the elimination of restrictions on the number of GPs qualifying and the removal of restrictions on GPs wishing to treat public patients.

With effect from 1st July 2010, the number of GP training places increased from 120 to 157 per annum. The GP training programme is of four years duration - two years spent in hospital posts and two years in an approved general practice. There are currently 407 trainees participating on the programme. One of the enabling steps which resulted in the increase to 157 training places was the setting up of an additional GP training programme in Dublin's North Inner City, an area identified by both the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and the HSE as requiring additional GPs.

The HSE is in discussion with the ICGP to identify a fast track mechanism of up-skilling doctors who are not eligible for GMS contracts because they are not fully qualified.

In relation to removing restrictions on GPs wishing to treat public patients, I have already asked the Department, in consultation with the HSE, to finalise proposals for the implementation of this commitment. In relation to GP retirement, it is worth noting that GPs who hold a contract or contracts under the GMS Scheme and/or the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme and/or the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme may from 1st October 2009 continue to hold their contract(s) until their 70th birthday. Similar arrangements also apply to new contract holders. To-date, 24 GPs who were due to retire in 2009/2010 and 11 who were due to retire in 2011 have benefited from this extension.

All vacant GMS posts are advertised on the HSE website. It is expected that the removal of restrictions on access to GMS contracts will provide an incentive for GPs from abroad to come to practice here. The continued expansion of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres will also assist in attracting GPs.