Written answer
General Practitioner Services
Government is expanding GP funding and training, recruiting overseas doctors, and reviewing supports to encourage new practices, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
3519. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Health to outline the efforts being made to incentivise the setting up of new GP practices given the chronic shortage of GP places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56738/26]
Comment on this
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.
As per the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to increasing the number of GPs practising 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. 400 new entrant places were provided for this year. 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. Supports for newly-establishing GPs are an important part of the review, as Irish College of GPs surveys have shown that concerns around the costs and risks of opening new practices are an important consideration. When completed the review will set out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.