Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

130. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure there is sufficient GP capacity in light of the free GP care provided in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51385/22]

Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

375. To ask the Minister for Health when the expansion in the GP visit card and medical card scheme, as announced in Budget 2023, will be brought into effect; if there will be a recruitment campaign to facilitate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52685/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 375 together.

As announced, Budget 2023 will increase the eligibility of people for General Practice (GP) access cards. The scheme will be expanded to cover all children aged 6 and 7 by the end of 2022 and, from 1 April 2023, eligibility will be extended to people who earn the median household income of €46,000 or less. It will be adjusted for people living alone and for those with children; further operational details will be made available prior to the commencement of the income-based expansion.

It is envisaged that these measures will be supported by a significant package of additional capacity supports to GP practices. Engagement with the GP representative organsisation is expected to continue to determine how best to utilise these additional supports.

The proposed package of capacity supports announced in Budget 2023 builds on steps already taken by the Government to increase the number of GPs working throughout the country.

Under the 2019 GP Agreement the additional annual expenditure provided for general practice will have increased to €211.6m per annum by 2023. 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 GPs entering training has increased steadily over the past number of years, rising from 120 in 2009 to 258 in 2022.  Following the transfer of GP training from the HSE to the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the ICGP aims to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.

Furthermore, preparatory work has commenced on a strategic review of GP services to examine how best to ensure the provision of GP services in Ireland for the future. The review will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a sustainable general practice.