Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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656. To ask the Minister for Health the plans he has to address the shortage of local general practitioners in east Galway with a number of former general practitioners retiring many residents have been unable to register with a local general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15984/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the selection process to find a replacement GP. As of March, there are approximately 32 GMS vacancies in the State, accounting for only approximately 1 percent of all GP GMS panels.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice and is working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.

The 2019 Agreement on GP contractual reforms will see the Government increase annual investment in general practice by approximately 40% (€210 million) between 2019 and 2023. The Agreement provides for increased support for GPs working in rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas, and for improvements to maternity and paternity leave arrangements. In addition, the number of GPs entering training has been increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 233 in 2021, with an intake of 259 planned for this year.

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 GMS GP vacancies specific to east Galway, as this relates to a services matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with an update on this matter, as soon as possible.