Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to provide a greater level of training for general practitioners across Ireland. [52236/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the body responsible for education and training in general practice. It is recognised by the Medical Council for the accreditation of specialist training in general practice in Ireland. In 2021, responsibility for GP training transferred from the HSE to the ICGP. The ICGP has made and will continue to make a vital contribution to the delivery of general practice in this country.

The Government has taken several measures to make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors, increasing the number of GPs working in the State.

Under the 2019 GP Agreement the additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has to date been increased by €206.6m and is set to increase to €211.6m per annum next year when the Agreement is fully rolled out. This provides for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees and subsidies for additional services. Improvements to GP’s maternity and paternity leave arrangements, increased rural practice supports and a support for GPs in disadvantaged urban areas, have also been provided for.

The number of doctors entering GP training has increased from 120 in 2009 to 258 this year, with large increases in recent years. The ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.