144. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Health the measures she is taking to incentivise GPs and dentists to enter into private practice in communities to meet current demand and provide a service for people who do not have access to general medical and dental services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52225/26]

GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GMS GPs also provide GP services to patients who do not hold a medical card or GP visit on a private basis. Furthermore, as per the GMS contract, GMS GPs must ensure there is no discrimination or differentiation between the treatment of medical card or GP visit card holders and private patients within the practice.

As per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improving access to GP services to all patients.

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. These measures make working in general practice in Ireland more attractive.

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. As a result, the number of GP graduates has increased in recent years and will continue to increase in the coming years. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme, which targets the placement of IMG GPs is targeted to rural and underserved areas.

Looking forward, 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.

In terms of incentivising dentists to enter into private practice, I am determined to improve access to dental services for patients. This will be done by utilising public and private capacity. My Department and the HSE are finalising a focused two-year Oral Health Action Plan to deliver real improvements on the ground.

It will focus on a small number of clear priorities:

• Cut waiting lists in the School Dental Programme and orthodontics

• Strengthen and expand the Special Access Programme

• Reviewing and improving the Dental Treatment Services Scheme

• Support recruitment, education and training

• Support innovation and new ways of delivering care

Over the next two years, the aim is to stabilise services, reduce waiting times, and make access measurably better for patients—while laying the groundwork for longer-term reform.

In terms of longer-term reform this will be achieved through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, which sets out a number of actions that will help establish and support oral healthcare services in the community and throughout the country. One of these actions is to develop a programme to support dentists and/or other oral healthcare professionals serving rural and other underserved areas.