Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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1155. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to increase general practitioner numbers (details supplied) in Cork city suburbs, particularly on the southern side; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44532/24]

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.

Where a person who holds a medical card or GP visit card experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract. Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with.

The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas, and is actively working to increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services.

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.

Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% over the last 5 years. 347 new entrants commenced training this year, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286. Furthermore, the recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 75 IMG GPs commenced in practice under the programme in 2023; recruitment is continuing this year and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country next year.

In addition, a Strategic Review of General Practice is currently 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.

As there is a recent GMS GP vacancy in Cork City, and as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly with an update on this vacancy.