David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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639. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of a whole-time equivalent GP. [28736/25]

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.

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.

It is not currently possible to estimate the cost of the HSE employing GPs; this would depend on agreement on salary levels as there is no established salary scale for publicly employed GPs in Ireland. In addition, substantial ancillary costs associated with the provision of GP care would need to be determined, including premises, equipment, consumables and staffing costs which may vary greatly depending on location and on the services to be provided.

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.