Taoiseach quizzed by Mayo TD on 'chronic' rural GP crisis

A Mayo Oireachtas member has asked Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in regard to "when his government will address the chronic shortage of GPs in rural Ireland?"

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said there is a situation in Lahardane whereby the whole parish of approximately 1,000 people is left without GP services, with people being told to look to the nearest town.

She elaborated: "That is not acceptable.

"In Achill, more than €1 million has been spent on temporary locum cover.

"Money is being wasted and people are being deprived of an absolutely essential service, namely, a relationship with their GP, because of the inaction of the government.

"Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for Health not to leave it all to the HSE, which is not accountable to anybody?

"There is no consultation with communities and no communication. People are just deprived of services.

"Will the Taoiseach ask the minister to intervene in those situations?"

In response, An Taoiseach stated: " We are acting on that.

"We have increased the number of GP training places considerably, with up to 300 new trainees coming through this year.

"We have increased the rural practice allowance for rural practices and appointed more practice nurses.

"We are making it easier for GPs from overseas to take up positions in our health service.

"There is a particular problem with single-handed practices that is very difficult to fix.

"The world has changed and people's willingness to work on their own in a single-handed setting has changed fundamentally.

"There is a move towards group practices and co-working that I am not sure any government can reverse."