Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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271. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline any ongoing schemes to encourage GPs into rural areas to assist with the current shortage of GPs across rural practices and to assist our existing GPs in taking necessary time off. [25418/23]

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. 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.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is working to ensure that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future.

Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice has been increased now by €211.6m. The Agreement provides for an increase in capitation fees for participating GPs, additional services, improved family arrangements as well as a targeted €2 million fund to support to practices in deprived urban areas.

The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased approximately ten percent year on year from 2019, rising from 193 in 2019 to 258 in 2022, with 285 new entrants places made available for this year. Working with the ICGP, it is aimed to have 350 training places available for new entrants per year by 2026.

In addition to the more general measures taken to increase the number of GPs in the State, specific supports are in place to support GPs in rural areas.

The practice support package for rural GP practices which was introduced previously has been increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking. Where a GMS GP has difficulty in securing a locum GP for leave cover when it is required, the relevant HSE CHO can assist the GP in providing locum cover where possible. Specific fees are also in place for dispensing doctors (who operate in rural areas), these have been increased by 28% under the Agreement.

The HSE is working with the ICGP on a programme to bring 100 non-EU GPs to Ireland in 2023 to help improve access to GP services, particularly in areas with limited access. These new additional posts will work in general practice for a 2-year period following which they will be able to take up a General Medical Services contract. The programme commenced with 25 posts having started in January and is progressing to meet the target of 100 additional non-EU GPs placements by year end.

Furthermore, I recently published the Terms of Reference for a Strategic review of General Practice which will commence shortly and is to be completed this year. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues around GP capacity, and will set out the measures necessary to deliver a better general practice. The provision of GP services in certain rural and urban deprived areas that are underserved, and the possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to these locations, is a specific issue that will be examined under the review.