Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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150. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take regarding the situation in Milltown, County Kerry in which there is no general practitioner service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48392/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that 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 and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.

The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice in Ireland, including the increased demand for GP and Out of Hours services, and has undertaken a number of measures in recent years to make general practice more sustainable.

The conclusion of the Agreement on GP Contractual Reform and Service Development between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the IMO in May 2019 demonstrates the Government's determination to invest in general practice to ensure that it retains its place at the heart of the health service, and that it remains an attractive option for medical graduates. The Agreement will see an increase in expenditure of €210 million annually by 2023 on GP services, with specific increases in supports for rural practices and practices in urban areas of deprivation. The Government is also committed to increasing he number of medical graduates undertaking GP training; the number has increased from 120 in 2009 to 192 filled places in 2019, with further increases anticipated over the coming years.

As of 1st November 2019, a total of 2,360 (94%) GMS GPs have signed up to the contract agreement.

Currently there are almost 2,500 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme and as at 1 November 2019, 22 panels, or less than 1%, are vacant.

In relation to the vacant panel in Milltown Co Kerry, as this is an operational issue, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this issue.