Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 2

Written Answers. - General Medical Service Costs.

Ivor Callely

Question:

90 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the total General Medical Service costs in 1995; the anticipated costs in 1996; if he will give a breakdown of such costs under each heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20538/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The total cost of the General Medical Service scheme in 1995 is set out in the annual report of the General Medical Service (Payments) Board Report for 1995, which was published earlier this year. The figures contained in the report are as follows:

	£m
Doctors Fees and Allowances	91.903
Medicines (including VAT)	126.460
Pharmacists Fees	33.152
Total	251.515

The latest figures for 1996 are for the period January to August, inclusive, and are as follows:

	£m
Doctors Fees and Allowances	62.258
Medicines (including VAT)	87.805
Pharmacists Fees	22.277
Total	172.340

Given that variations can occur from month to month in prescribing costs arising from changes in morbidity levels, particularly towards the end of each year, it is difficult to make a definite statement about overall costs in 1996.