Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

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.

I have increased the number of places across our medical schools, following an agreement reached with the medical schools in July 2022. This will see a further 200 medical places added to our Higher Education system by 2026. Students themselves will continue to determine what area of practice they wish to enter into.

The HEA have also run an Expressions of Interest process to identify options for developing substantial capacity in a number of healthcare disciplines including medicine.

The diverse options identified include a proposal for a “Rural and Remote” medical programme in University of Galway with prolonged immersion in rural and remote general practice and placements in integrated care hubs.?

There is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of any new schools. Given the nature of the discussions and the significant costs associated with expansion and the provision of any new schools, it will naturally take some time for these discussions to reach a conclusion, including in the context of an expected upcoming review of Departmental National Development Plan allocations.

I am continuing to work with the Ministers for Health and Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.