Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
82. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Health given the growing population in County Wicklow, the plans being made to increase GP services across the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17793/26]
View answer110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of GPs in Ireland and, in particular, in County Meath, which has the lowest number of GPs in the State per population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16265/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 110 together.
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 any area.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. There are currently 2,601 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 636 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services. 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 per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the GP workforce. Work is ongoing in this regard, to increase the number of GPs practicing 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.
Of note, a Strategic Review of General Practice is currently underway. The review is examining the issues effecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will consider possible mechanisms to attract GPs to rural and underserved areas. When completed the review will set out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
