Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Health her plans on the ESRI’s publication of the second health service capacity report, and specifically, the plans to increase the number of GPs and nurses nationally to meet the needs of rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34892/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The ESRI report on future GP capacity requirements provides a welcome contribution to our general practice workforce planning. The report highlights that as our population grows and ages, and as we continue to provide more services in the community, we need to continue to increase our general practice workforce to meet the resulting additional demand on general practice.

A number of measures have already been taken to increase the number of GPs practising across the country, this includes improving supports to increase practice staff capacity, including practice nurses.

Significant increases in investment in general practice have been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211m. This provided for increased in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, new fees for additional services, and increased practice supports, including the introduction of a support for practices in urban areas of social deprivation.

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.

In addition, specific supports are in place to support GPs in rural areas. The practice support package for rural GP practices was increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking.

Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available from 2024. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years.

Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 118 IMG doctors are currently in practice here with a further 18 having completed the new 2-year programme. Funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs to Ireland this year under the programme.

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 and will consider possible mechanisms to attract GPs to rural and underserved areas. 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.