539. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will increase and reform the dedicated funding available to GP practices serving remote rural communities and areas of urban deprivation; and if she will outline her plans in this regard. [66407/26]

GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs who hold a GMS contract are reimbursed for the services they provide through capitation payments and fee-per-item payments for certain services. Practices also receive a range of financial supports.

Under the GMS scheme, the financial supports available to eligible GPs include practice staff supports, locum contributions for leave taking, rural practice supports, and a support for practices in urban areas of deprivation. A contribution to GMS GPs medical indemnity insurance is also paid.

In regard to rural practices, GMS GPs working in rural areas who meet the qualifying criteria receive an annual rural practice support allowance under the Rural Practice Support Framework. The 2019 GMS GP Agreement increased the practice support package for rural GP practices by 10%. Practices in receipt of rural practice supports attract the maximum allowable rates for practice staff support subsidies and locum contributions for leave taking.

Furthermore, a locum support initiative commenced last year, providing GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined locum sourcing service. While the GPs themselves will cover the cost of the locum, the HSE bears the cost of securing the locum.

Meanwhile GPs serving urban areas of social deprivation may be eligible for the social deprivation practice support grant that was introduced in 2020 under the 2019 GP Agreement. The grant can be used to cover the costs associated with additional clinical supports such as increased doctor or nurse hours, increased key worker hours, or additional counselling hours to meet the needs of patients within the practice.

Further potential measures to support GP practices are being considered under the Strategic Review of General Practice. The review, currently underway, is examining the broad range of issues affecting general practice including issues related to GP capacity and will consider possible mechanisms to attract more GPs to rural and underserved areas. Following its completion, a report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.