Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
40. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the plans her Department and the HSE have to increase the number of GPs in Laois and across the State; the progress made to have a cohort of directly employed GPs providing primary care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17087/26]
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 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 2,601 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme. A further 636 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 practising across the country and thereby improve access to GP services for all patients. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to explore the recruitment of HSE employed GPs.
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. In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme.
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.
The Strategic Review also giving consideration to the possible role of HSE employed GPs, as part of the wider examination of the GP capacity issue. It should be noted that any proposed model involving salaried GP positions would require careful consideration to ensure the required level of service could be provided for medical card and GP visit card holders as well as private patients.
