Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

383. To ask the Minister for Health when it is intended to recruit a new permanent general practitioner in an Cheathrú Rua, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49325/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.

Where a GP GMS vacancy is set to arise in a practice, the HSE is notified in advance and becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the 1st of October, there are 25 GMS vacancies across the country, just under 1 percent of the total number of GMS panels.

I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with an update on GMS GP vacancy in Cheathrú Rua.