Colm Brophy
Question:495. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the rural practice allowance for GPs by 10% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45886/24]
View answerThursday, 7 November 2024
Questions (495, 522)
Colm Brophy
Question:522. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing supports to GPs in rural practices by 10%. [45915/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 522 together.
GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. In rural areas, due to lower and more sparse populations, there is a greater dependence on small and single-handed practices. Under the GMS scheme, the Rural Practice Support Framework provides an additional support to eligible GP practices in rural areas. These rural practice grants were increased by 10% under the 2019 GP Agreement. In addition, practices in receipt of rural practice grants attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking.
As per the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) annual report for 2023, funding provided through GMS rural practice grants to eligible practices amounted to approximately €4.8 million last year. Accordingly, based on this figure, increasing the GMS rural practice grants by 10% and 20% would cost approximately €0.48 million and €0.96 million respectively.