It was reported that nearly 6,000 people have contacted the HSE seeking help in finding a GP, so far this year.
According to new figures, Ireland's population has increased by roughly 10% between 2020 and 2025, while the total number of GPs has increased by 6.4%.
The population growth is continuing to surpass the growth in services, which leads to a deficit of doctors to meet patient needs.
In that same period, the number of GPs treating patients with medical cards has also increased by 2.3%, but the number of GPs who have entered private practice has also increased by 26.8%. It was also found that just 59 GPs have signed up to provide care under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme for patients with medical cards and GP visit cards since 2020.
These new figures have come in response to parliamentary questions from David Cullinane, Sinn Féin's Health Spokesperson, who said that these numbers "tell a story of a Government that has allowed GP services to fall further and further behind the needs of a growing population" (quotes according to RTÉ).
This also comes amid other analysis from the Irish College of General Practitioners which highlights what it called acute shortages of GPS in both commuter and rural areas.
It was found that 5,775 people with medical cards or GP visit cards had reached out to the HSE's GP Assignment Office looking for assistance in registering with a practice.
