Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

444. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the Government’s decision to zone more land for housing needs, the steps her Department will take to ensure that essential medical services including GP services will be provided in areas where the growing population requires it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60737/25]

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

Ireland, like many developed nations, is navigating significant demographic shifts including rising life expectancy, population growth, an ageing population, and fluctuating birth rates and changing migration patterns.

To address the growing demand these trends will place on the health system, the enhanced National Development Plan (NDP) allocation for the health sector from 2026 to 2030 is set at €9.25 billion.

The purpose of health infrastructure is to enable service delivery. The new NDP funding envelope for 2026 to 2030 will help manage medium term demographic challenges, be an enabler to provision of a modern and productive health service and will underpin the progression of key strategic reform priorities set out in Sláintecare and sectoral policies and strategies.

The new NDP funding envelope will support the progression of key health sector priorities and will support the shared vision of a modern, integrated and patient centred health service across the country with a renewed focus on health outcomes.

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.

Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Under the provisions of the Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012, a GP can enter into a State contract to provide GP services provided he/she is on the Medical Council's Specialist Register in the Speciality of General Practice, irrespective of the number of GPs who are already established in an area.

I and my Department will be working with the HSE and other stakeholders in the coming period to develop a detailed capital plan for this allocated capital funding.