Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
333. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department has data as to the number of general practices in north County Dublin currently accepting new patients; the measures being taken to expand GP capacity in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70669/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs 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 a town or community.
It is acknowledged that there is limited access to GP services in certain areas. Work is ongoing to increase the number of GPs practicing in the State and to thereby improve access to GP services for all patients across the country.
Significant increases in investment in general practice have been provided under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. Under the 2019 GP Agreement additional annual expenditure provided for general practice was increased by €211.6m. This provided for increases in capitation fees for participating GMS GPs, and new fees for additional services and increased practice supports, including the introduction of a support for practices in urban areas of social deprivation.
The GP Agreement 2023 further increased GP capitation fees, increased the existing subsidy rates for practice staff, and introduced a grant support for additional staff capacity as well a practice staff maternity leave support.
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 next 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, there are 115 IMG GPs within the programme currently placed in general practice and a further 39 have completed the 2-year programme. The placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.
I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly in relation to the number of general practices in north County Dublin currently accepting new patients. Please note that as GPs are private practitioners, it will only be possible for the HSE to respond in relation to HSE contracted GPs.
