Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
931. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the measures the Government and her Department are taking to support an increasing number of citizens who are unable to register with a GP, particularly private patients who, despite contacting multiple GP practices, have been refused due to capacity constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45304/26]
View answerGPs 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. Currently there are 2,606 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 637 GPs do not hold a GMS contract but hold some other contract(s) with the HSE for the delivery of health services.
Where a medical card or GP visit card holder, or a person eligible for either card, experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE Eligibility Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract.
Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients.
The HSE website provides a "find a GP" facility which can assist in locating and contacting GP in or around the area concerned.
The Government is committed, as per the Programme for Government, to increase the number of GPs practising across the country and thereby increase access to GP service 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.
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. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme, with the placement of IMG GPs targeted to rural and underserved areas.
Also, a Strategic Review of General Practice is currently underway, led by my Department and with support from the HSE. The review is examining the issues effecting general practice, including issues related to GP capacity, and will consider further 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.
