With effect from 1 July last persons aged 70 years and over have had an automatic entitlement to full eligibility under the Health Acts. No difficulties have arisen in cases where a person with automatic eligibility was already attending a general practitioner who holds a GMS contract. Where the general practitioner does not already hold a GMS contract, arrangements were agreed between my Department and the Irish Medical Organisation for the issuing of a limited GMS contract in respect of this group of patients. However, it is a matter of personal choice on the part of the general practitioner concerned whether he or she decides to apply for a GMS contract. If the general practitioner decides not to opt for such a contract, and my Department is not aware of any such cases, then the patient will have to select a general practitioner who holds, or is in the process of acquiring, a GMS contract.