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.

The Government is working to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services across the country. Several measures have been taken to increase GP capacity, including increasing investment in general practice to support practices and make general practice a more attractive career choice, increasing the number of doctors training to become GPs, and establishing the non-EU GP Training Programme to rapidly bring more GPs to Ireland.

Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for significant increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports. The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support.

An enhanced supports package for rural GP practices was introduced previously to support rural GPs, these supports were 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.

The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased significantly in recent years, with 286 new entrants in 2023 and 350 places planned for new entrants for this year. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by over 80% from 2015 to 2023, and the number of new entrant places to be available this year is a 22% increase on last year's intake. As a result of these increases, it is estimated over the next few years that 3 to 6 GP graduates will on-board for every 2 GMS retirements.

GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint non-EU GP Training Programme between the HSE and ICGP. 112 non-EU GPs were recruited last year under the training programme, of which 84 were in practice by the end of January. I have secured funding to recruit up to 250 more non-EU GPs to Ireland this year. The placement of GPs under the programme is targeted to rural and underserviced areas.

My Department and the HSE are currently undertaking a Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, with input from key stakeholders, will examine issues affecting general practice including issues around GP capacity. Engagement with relevant stakeholders, including the organisation the Deputy referred to, is ongoing on the thematic issues of the review such as the possible use of salaried GPs and others ways to bring GPs to underserved areas.

Furthermore, Primary Care Centres (PCCs) continue to be utilised to serve local communities across the country. As of Q4 last year 174 PCCs were operational including 145 PCCs located outside of Dublin. Seven further PCCs are in construction and due to be operational this year.

Finally, it is worth stating that annual investment of €195m was secured under Budget 2024 to enable the continued expansion of primary care services through the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) programme. Amongst other initiatives, the funding has facilitated the rollout of 96 Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs) which are now operational nationwide, and is enabling the continued development of 60 Community Specialist Teams for Older Persons and the Management of Chronic Disease.