Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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2009.To ask the Minister for Health if GPs can avail of a maternity leave subsidy scheme from their employers; if this formed part of the GP agreement between his Department and the HSE; when this scheme came into effect and if GP’s who are on maternity leave since the scheme was introduced are entitled to benefit from this subsidy scheme (details supplied); if this is backdated, to outline the process for applying for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31045/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The GP Agreement 2023 provided for the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all children under 8 years of age and to all those earning up to the median household income. Last year's GP agreement also increased GP capitation payment rates, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a new grant support of up to €15,000 for additional practice staff capacity as well as a support for practice staff maternity leave.

As per Agreement, the enhanced practice supports, including the practice staff maternity leave support are effective from the 1st of July 2023 for eligible GPs who signed up to the Agreement. The HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) processes payments for valid practice staff maternity leave support applications, including payment of arrears where they are due.

The HSE has advised that there are a small number of applications which have been delayed as some of the fields required to validate the application were not completed. Completed applications must be submitted for the claim to be valid. Where an issue arises with the claiming of a GP practice staff support, the GP concerned can raise the matter directly with PCRS.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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2010.To ask the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure the availability of GP places for persons in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31049/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. As self-employed practitioners, GPs 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.

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. These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors.

The number of doctors entering GP training has been increased significantly in recent years, with 286 new entrants in 2023 and 350 places made available 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 made available this year is a 22% increase on last year's intake.

Furthermore, GP recruitment is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme between the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). 121 non-EU GPs were enrolled under the training programme last year and it is planned to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland this year. The placement of GPs under the programme is targeted to rural and underserviced areas.

Lastly, a Strategic Review of General Practice is underway. The review, with input from key stakeholders, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity. When completed, the review will set out the measures necessary to deliver a more sustainable general practice into the future.