Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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171. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the Programme for Government commitment to explore the recruitment of HSE-employed GPs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24092/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Irish model of general practice is based on private practice, and all GPs providing GP services in Ireland currently are private practitioners. The HSE does not directly employ GPs for the provision of GP services.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to explore the recruitment of HSE employed GPs. As part of the Strategic Review of General Practice currently underway consideration will be given to the possible role of HSE employed GPs, as well other possible mechanisms to attract GPs to areas where service provision is challenging, as part of a wider examination of the GP capacity issue. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.

It should be noted that any proposed model involving salaried GP positions would require careful consideration to ensure the required level of service could be provided for medical card and GP visit card holders as well as private patients. Consideration would also be required regarding premises, equipment, consumables and staffing requirements which may vary greatly depending on location and the services to be provided.