Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1429. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for general practitioner cover in circumstances in which general practitioners take annual leave; and if these arrangements are in place in respect of a general practitioner (details supplied). [43008/21]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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1431. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements that are in place for general practitioner cover in cases in which a general practitioner takes annual leave; and if these arrangements are in place in respect of a general practitioner (details supplied) based in County Kerry. [43018/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1429 and 1431 together.

Under the terms of the GMS contract, a medical practitioner is entitled to take a number of weeks annual leave each year based on his/her average GMS panel size. The maximum entitlement being five weeks or 35 days for those with a GMS panel of 1,500 patients or more and minimum being two weeks or 14 days for those with GMS panels of 100 patients. GPs may apply for reimbursement in respect of a contribution towards the employment of a locum during leave periods. Annual leave entitlement does not apply to GPs with GMS panels of less than 100 patients.

GPs must obtain the prior approval of the HSE CHO before taking annual leave. Should a GP be unable to obtain the services of a locum for periods of annual leave, the CHO, on request, will arrange locum cover where possible. Such a request should normally be submitted to the CHO at least four weeks prior to commencement of the leave period.

In relation to the arrangements referred to by the Deputy, as these are service mattesr, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1430. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2447 of 27 July 2021, the position with regard to securing a general practitioner for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43015/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.