Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
1151. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the key measures taken to support and improve GP services during 2025; her priorities for same in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72569/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the number of GPs practicing across in the State, thereby improving access to GP services for all patients. Increasing our GP workforce, primarily through a combination of international recruitment and increased training places, is among the priorities in this regard for this year and next year. Annual investment provided for general practice has been increased by over €340 million under the 2019 and 2023 GP Agreements. The agreements provide for increased GP capitation fees, increased and new supports for practices, as well as new fees for additional services. The 2023 Agreement also provided for the expansion of GP visit card eligibility to all children under 8 years of age and to all those who earn up to median household income.
The implementation of both Agreements continues, increasing the attractiveness of working in general practice in Ireland. As per the 2023 Agreement, a new locum support initiative commenced in May this year which provides GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined locum sourcing service. 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. Having commenced in 2023, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme.
Significant funding was provided for this year to allow for continued and increased recruitment under the 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. Further potential measures to support GP practices are being considered under the Strategic Review of General Practice. With input from key stakeholders, the review is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.
