Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to out-of-hours care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39601/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Atypical Working Scheme is managed, monitored and administered by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service within the Department of Justice and Equality. The current terms applying to this scheme have been in place since 2015. 

The Health Service Executive has recently become aware of challenges faced by agencies providing general practitioner services, particularly GP out of hours services, in relation to the recruitment and retention of suitable locum general practitioners from abroad. The current terms of the Atypical Working Scheme have been identified as a significant factor in these challenges.  

GP out of hours services play a key role in the provision of community primary care services, and in this regard the HSE is reviewing this matter and is liaising with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in the Department of Justice and Equality with a view to examining how best to address the challenges as identified in terms of the Atypical Working Scheme. The HSE is confident that an agreement can be reached that will support recruitment and retention of GPs from abroad.