Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

133. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has plans to address the shortage of general practitioners in rapidly growing towns such as Naas, Maynooth, Celbridge and Leixlip; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24104/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Timely and available access to GP services is critical to good healthcare. Measures have been taken to increase the number of GPs. The Government is committed to continuing this work, to increase the number of GPs practising across the country and increase access to GP services.

Significant investment in general practice has been made under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. The Agreements provide for increased fees and supports for GPs, making general practice in Ireland as a career more attractive. The Agreements also provided for new services for patients including the GP Chronic Disease Management Programme.

The number of GP training places has been increased in recent years, from 202 in 2019 to 350 from last year, subsequently increasing the number of GPs graduating and entering practice. In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme, with 119 IMG GPs in practice as of November last. Placement of GPs under this programme is targeted to underserved areas.

The continuing use of increased GP training places and GP recruitment under the International GP programme is specifically committed under the Programme for Government. Furthermore, the Strategic Review of General Practice is underway and is examining the issue of GP capacity. These measures will see the GP workforce grow and help attract more GPs to the areas where GP access is needed the most, including the expanding towns the Deputy mentioned and other areas which are currently underserved.