Vol. 457 No. 4
41 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of direct funding by his Department to general practitioner trainers and the effect this will have on the funds of general practice units in the various health board areas which were earmarked for other projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15509/95]
Limerick East): A programme for infrastructural development of trainer practices has been agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners and commenced in 1994. At the commencement of the programme in 1994, health boards were requested to assist approved trainer practices with grants of up to £10,000. Funding of grants in 1994 was arranged on the basis of 50 per cent from health boards through the indicative drug target savings scheme and 50 per cent from the general practice development fund in the Department. Grants to trainer practices are being continued in 1995 at the same level as last year on the basis of 75 per cent from the indicative drug target savings scheme and 25 per cent from the general practice development fund.
The Department keeps in close touch with the health boards in relation to general practice developments and I am satisfied that the method of funding trainer grants in 1995 has not adversely affected boards in progressing other proposals for the development of general practitioner services.
