asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement in relation to recent reports that the capitation based General Medical Service has run into serious financial difficulties with projections that its cost this year will be up to £15 million over its budget of £130 million.
Written Answers. - General Medical Service Costs.
229.
The provision of £130 million for the General Medical Services (Payments) Board in 1989 was based on the introduction of a capitation based remuneration scheme from January. As the Deputy is aware, it was not feasible to introduce the new scheme until April. The impact of this factor and other trends, including drug prices, on the scheme have been considered and I will be bringing a Supplementary Estimate before the House to provide for additional funding in 1989 for the general medical services and for other areas of expenditure in the health services.