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. As of the 1st of March, there are 2,553 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. Where a vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP. As of the start of the February, the HSE report that there are no GMS vacancies in the East Wall and Sheriff Street area of Dublin.
A number of measures have been taken in recent years to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country.
Significant increases in investment in general practice has been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. The Agreements provide for increased GPs fees, new fees for additional services, and increased practice supports. These measures make general practice in Ireland a more attractive career choice for doctors.
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. The number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years as a result of the increased number of new entrant training places. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. 119 IMG GPs were in practice as of November last and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs to Ireland this year.
In relation to the availability of other primary care services, the establishment of the HSE’s six Health Regions means that services can plan and deliver around the specific needs of people in each area. Following the lifting of the HSE recruitment pause on 15 July 2024, the HSE Health Regions and each national service have been provided with a specified number of Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) and can replace, recruit and prioritise staff within that approved number in line with the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the availability of primary care services in the area, as soon as possible.
