There could be a shortage of 1,600 GPs by the end of the decade.
The Irish College of GPs has warned a fifth of doctors are due to retire within the next five years.
It's told an Oireachtas committee the current numbers aren't adequate to meet the growing needs of patients.
Dr Diarmuid Quinlan from the ICGP says general practice is facing significant shortages:
"We need a sustained and substantial investment to meet the needs.
"The HSE predicts a shortage of at least 1,000 and possibly in excess of 1,600 GPs by 2028.
"This is underlined by the fact out population is growing recently - in excess of five million, we have a very substantial and welcome increase in people aged over 65, and almost a doubling of people aged 85 and over by 2025."
