Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
163. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the plans in place to increase the number of GPs through a combination of international recruitment and increased training places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28359/26]
View answer170. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the measures her Department has taken to ensure there is sufficient general practitioner access for people living in Dublin north-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28229/26]
View answer180. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health for an update on plans to increase the number of general practitioners in Ireland.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28389/26]
View answer203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of GPs in Ireland in view of a recent report (details supplied), 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. [28367/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163, 170, 180 and 203 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 2,611 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 633 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services.
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, amongst other things, 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 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 2025, there were 111 IMG GPs within the programme placed in general practice and a further 58 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.
