Demand for GPs Outstrips Growth In Kildare And Across Ireland

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 08:51

By Tara Flanagan

Almost 6,000 people have sought HSE help finding a GP this year as new figures show family doctor numbers continue to lag behind population growth.

Nationally nearly 6,000 people have turned to the Health Service Executive for help finding a GP since the beginning of the year.

New figures show the number of family doctors has failed to keep pace with Ireland's growing population. Between 2020 and 2025, the population increased by around 10%, while GP numbers rose by just 6.4%, widening the gap between demand for services and the number of doctors available.

The figures also highlight a growing divide between public and private practice. The number of GPs providing care to medical card patients increased by just 2.3% over the five-year period, while the number entering private practice rose by 26.8%.

Since 2020, only 59 GPs have joined the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme, which provides care for patients with medical cards and GP visit cards.

The statistics were released in response to parliamentary questions from Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane, who said they show "a Government that has allowed GP services to fall further and further behind the needs of a growing population."

In Kildare and West Wicklow, GP numbers have increased, but not at the same rate as the area's growing population.

In December 2020, there were 111 GPs practising across Kildare and West Wicklow, including 93 participating in the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme and 18 working outside it.

By December 2025, that figure had risen to 131 GPs, made up of 104 GMS doctors and 27 non-GMS practitioners.

Census figures show Kildare's population grew from 222,504 in 2016 to 247,774 in 2022—an increase of 11.4%. While GP numbers have also increased, population growth continues to outstrip the expansion of local GP services, placing further pressure on access to care.