Departmental Contracts

Thursday, 5 February 2026

Questions (436, 437)

Thomas Gould

Question:

436. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of GMS contracts for walk-in clinics that open during daytime hours. [9105/26]

View answer

437. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the way in which a person with a medical card can be seen during GP opening hours if they cannot get an appointment for their registered GP. [9106/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together.

GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The GMS contract is held between the HSE and individual eligible GPs, and for this reason the GMS contract does not relate to walk-in clinics. As private practitioners, the scheduling of GP consultation is a matter for the practice concerned, including in relation to accepting walk-in patients. GPs prioritise appointments based on urgency and health need, and patient issues regarding the scheduling of consultations should be raised directly with the practice concerned.

Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practising across the country and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients.

Over €340 million in additional annual investment in general practice has been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP GMS Agreements. The Agreements provide for increased GP capitation fees, increased and new supports for practices, as well as new fees for additional services. Specific supports are available for eligible practices in rural areas and in areas of urban social deprivation. These measures make a career in general practice here more attractive. The 2023 Agreement also provided for the expansion of GP visit card eligibility in 2023 to all children under 8 years of age and all those who earn up to the median household income.

The annual intake of doctors into the GP training programme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant training places made available in 2024 and again in 2025. The number of new entrant training places is to increase again this year by 50 places to 400. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years.

In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme. As of end of Q3 2025, there were 115 IMG GPs within the programme placed in general practice and a further 39 had completed the 2-year programme. The placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.

Question No. 437 answered with Question No. 436.

Question No. 438 answered with Question No. 411.