A motion was brought before Government on the issue.
The Government is considering offering GP services in larger urban areas funding to set up satellite surgeries in more rural areas.
That's according to Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health Hildegarde Naughton, who made the comments during a reply to a motion brought forward by Laois Offaly Independent TD Carol Nolan and the Rural Independents Group.
Figures show that up to two-thirds of rural GPs are currently unable to take on new patients.
Minister Naughton says the replacement rate for retiring GPs is encouraging: