21. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Health the number of approved general practitioner posts currently vacant in Cork; the measures being taken to recruit and retain GPs, particularly in rural areas of Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16272/26]

Sentiment score: 0.16

The issue of vacant GP posts across Cork is placing serious pressure on communities, particularly in rural areas. Access to a GP is a cornerstone of our primary care system, yet in many towns and villages people are finding it increasingly difficult to register with a doctor or to secure a timely appointment. When GP posts remain vacant for long periods, the impact is felt immediately by the patient, by the neighbouring practices, which are already under pressure, and by the local health services. We need clear timelines and transparency from the HSE on how the vacancies can be filled and what interim measures are being put in place to ensure patients are not left without access to essential care. Primary care must be strengthened. Two of the biggest issues that come up in my office every single week are access to a GP and access to consultant orthodontists in Cork. I urge the Minister to try to address those two issues for Cork over the next couple of weeks.

Sentiment score: 0.19

I thank the Minister for her continued engagement and interest in the health services in Cork, particularly in terms of GP services. They are a first point of contact for many people. While it is great to see that there are no current vacancies in the GP contracts in Cork, our population in Cork is growing substantially, particularly in rural County Cork, where every single town and village is growing by the number of new houses there. There is particularly a need in Charleville. I thank the Minister for mentioning my town of Charleville that I represent. There is an acute need in terms of getting a new GP contract there because the population of Charleville is increasing significantly. We need additional supports there into the future. I am receiving increasingly more queries into my office in relation to consultant orthodontists. There seems to be an issue where we do not have enough staff. There seems to be no plan in terms of recruiting a consultant orthodontist. I urge the Minister to see if she can engage with the HSE and with me to encourage more recruitment as we go forward in the next couple of months.

Sentiment score: 0.24