asked the Minister for Health when he intends to introduce legislation to give effect to the proposals in the White Paper on the health services.
32.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services.
31.
asked the Minister for Health when it is intended to introduce legislation implementing the proposals of the White Paper on the health services published by his predecessor in January, 1966.
33.
asked the Minister for Health if the proposals of the 1966 White Paper on health will be the subject of legislation in the near future.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 33 together.
As I indicated earlier to the House, the introduction of this legislation is related to discussions on the implementation of the White Paper proposals on the general medical service which have been proceeding with representatives of the doctors and the pharmaceutical chemists. There has been substantial progress in these discussions. I intend to meet the representatives of the doctors myself again in the near future to clear up a few outstanding points. Following this, I expect to be in a position to introduce the legislation. I should mention that in fields where new legislation is not required, notably the district nursing service, there has been substantial progress in developing the White Paper proposals.
The White Paper referred to an examination of possible new sources of revenue for health services to meet additional costs. This examination is proceeding and, arising from any new structure of the financing of the services, there may be some consequential modifications of the proposals in the White Paper relating to the services. I will in due course make a statement on this to the House.
34.
asked the Minister for Health if his Department have as yet decided on the system of payment for doctors who will participate in the new scheme envisaged by the 1966 White Paper.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question by Deputy Esmonde on 22nd February last. This matter is still being discussed with the medical organisations.