Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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685. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the chronic shortage of general practitioner services in Balbriggan, County Dublin, which has created lengthy waiting lists for appointments; his plans to alleviate the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28407/20]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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700. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the waiting lists of people who wish to be seen by a general practitioner in a facility (details supplied) and if it will be ensured that a greater number of general practitioners service the Balbriggan area to take pressure of the various medical centres and practices in the town. [28533/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 700 together.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and has implemented a number of measures to improve recruitment and retention in general practice.

The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see the Government increase investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) over the next four years, providing for significant increases in capitation fees for GPs who participate in the reform programme and the introduction of new fees and subsidies for additional services such as the chronic disease programme. There will be increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and improvements have been made to maternity and paternity leave arrangements.

The number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past ten years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 194 in 2020, with a further increase foreseen in 2021.

These measures will see an increase in the number of GPs working in the State, improving access to GP services for patients throughout the country.

In relation to GP services in Balbriggan specifically, as this relates to a services matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter, as soon as possible.