Data released under the Freedom of Information reveal the challenge of filling vacant GP posts in rural Ireland

Filling vacant GP posts remains a challenge in rural Ireland.

That's according to data released to Shannonside Northern Sound under Freedom of Information.

Records show there were six vacant permanent GP posts in the Community Healthcare West region in November 2020 - five based in county Galway and one in Mayo.

Only three posts were permanently filled during the course of the year up to November and they were all filled in Galway.

No permanent roles became available or were filled in County Roscommon during the same period.

Meanwhile, records show just two vacancies were filled in the Community Healthcare Organisation 8 during 2020 - one in Westmeath and one in Offaly with no data available for counties Longford, Laois, Louth or Meath.