Vol. 511 No. 2
93 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions, if any, which have taken place with the Irish Medical Organisation regarding the provision of new general medical services posts; and the plans, if any, he has to increase the percentage of the population receiving medical cards to 40% from the current 31%. [23926/99]
An agreement was reached with the Irish Medical Organisation in March of this year on one-off GMS scheme entry arrangements for doctors having relevant experience and qualifications. Those arrangements, which are now in place, will increase over the next few years the number of doctors having GMS scheme contracts as eligible doctors' obtain the necessary experience.
The Government has no plans to increase to 40% the percentage of the population having medical cards.
