Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:1028. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the projected growth in the number of GPs working in Ireland until 2033, in tabular form. [44037/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 November 2024
Ceisteanna (1028)
Freagraí scríofa
To increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services, significant increases have been made in recent years to the number of new entrant places for GP training. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024. 350 training places for new entrants were made available for this year with 347 new entrants having commenced training, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286. Department research, based on expected GP graduates and GP retirements, indicated that over the coming years for every retiring GP between 1.5 and 3 new GPs will enter the workforce.
In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme between the HSE and ICGP. 75 IMG GPs commenced in practice under the programme in 2023; recruitment is continuing this year and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country next year.
The below table shows the estimated projected number of GPs working in Ireland at the beginning of each year from 2024 to 2033. No central register exists specifically for GPs actively working in Ireland. The figures below are based on HSE estimated GP workforce projections to 2031 extrapolated to 2033, and the known number of HSE contracted GPs per year, as well as full recruitment under the IMG Rural GP Programme.
|
Year |
Projected Number of GPs |
|
2024 |
3,629 |
|
2025 |
3,934 |
|
2026 |
4,206 |
|
2027 |
4,530 |
|
2028 |
4,854 |
|
2029 |
5,186 |
|
2030 |
5,527 |
|
2031 |
5,897 |
|
2032 |
6,256 |
|
2033 |
6,615 |