634. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Health the contingency plan in place for the provision of general practitioner services in Ratoath and Dunboyne County Meath, pending the retirement of general practitioners from the provision of medical services in these towns, during the first quarter of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16104/26]

GPs 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.

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 2,600 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 vacancy arises in a practice with a GMS contract, the HSE becomes actively involved in the recruitment process to find a replacement GP for the panel concerned. While recruitment is ongoing, the HSE put a locum or other suitable arrangement in place to provide continuity of care. As of January, there were 19 GMS vacancies across the country, less than 1 percent of the total number of GMS panels.

In relation to GMS vacancies in Ratoath and Dunboyne specifically, as this is a service matter, have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.