Batt O'Keeffe
Question:41 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the age profile in the General Medical Services. [3942/97]
Vol. 475 No. 1
41 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the age profile in the General Medical Services. [3942/97]
Limerick East): I understand that the Deputy is inquiring about the age profile of general practitioners in the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme.
Statistical information about the GMS scheme is gathered by the General Medical Services (Payments) Board. The latest figures which are available from the board show that there are 1,652 general practitioners contracted with the health boards under the GMS scheme and the breakdown of their ages is given in the table below. I should point out that GPs who had signed contracts with the health boards, prior to March 1989 and who are still contracted under the scheme, must retire at 70 years of age. Doctors who entered contracts with the health boards since March 1989, must retire at 65 years of age. In certain circumstances, for example while a post is in the process of being filled, a doctor who is over 70 years of age may do his/her own locum by agreement with the health board.
Age as at 1997 |
Number of Doctors |
Less than 30 |
2 |
30 to 34 |
33 |
35 to 39 |
154 |
40 to 44 |
319 |
45 to 49 |
409 |
50 to 54 |
306 |
55 to 59 |
169 |
60 to 64 |
92 |
65 to 69 |
103 |
70 and over |
30 |
No age available |
35 |
Total |
1,652 |