Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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782. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35337/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to the continued development of GP capacity to ensure that patients across the country continue to have access to GP services, especially in remote rural areas and also in disadvantaged urban areas, and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. I want to ensure that existing GP services are retained and that general practice remains an attractive career option for newly qualified GPs.

As of 1 July 2017, 2,491 GPs hold GMS contracts with the HSE and this is continuing to increase year-on-year. A further 438 GPs hold other contracts to provide services such as immunisation, Heartwatch, Methadone and cancer screening. The HSE, based on the demographic profile of current GMS GPs, expects that approximately 157 GPs may retire on age grounds between 2017 and 2021.

Efforts undertaken in recent years to increase the number of practicing GPs include changes to the entry provisions to the GMS scheme to accommodate more flexible/shared GMS/GP contracts, and to the retirement provisions for GPs under the GMS scheme, allowing GPs to hold GMS contracts until their 72nd birthday, as well as the introduction of enhanced supports for rural GP practices. These steps should help to address the future demand for GPs by enticing GPs who may have ceased practicing for family or other reasons back into the workforce, facilitating GPs to work past the standard retirement age and encouraging more GPs to work in rural areas.

Separately, the State is seeking to train more GPs to provide GP services to the population. In 2009, there were 120 GP training places and in 2017 there were 170 training places filled. The Government is committed to further increasing this number in future years.

It is acknowledged that there are many challenges in general practice. That is why I have repeatedly emphasised the need for a new GP services contract which will help modernise our health service and develop a strengthened primary care sector. The next phase of engagement on a new GP contract is under way and the sustainability of general practice in rural areas will be considered in this context. The process will also seek to introduce further measures aimed at making general practice a fulfilling and rewarding career option into the future.