Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2009
263 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the savings to date in 2009 yielded from the 8% reduction in professional fees introduced in February 2009; the savings she expects to be made as a result of this 8% reduction in 2009 as a whole; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42648/09]
View answerSavings to date in 2009 yielded from the 8% reduction in professional fees total some €1.84 million. The vast bulk of the savings arise from fee reductions applied in respect of dentists, opticians and medical appliance providers (hearing aids) under the Department's Treatment Benefits schemes. A small amount of the saving (approx €8,000) arises in respect of a number of drawdown contracts for the provision of technical advice and expertise in the ICT area.
Professional fees paid to GPs in respect of medical certification were not directly reduced in response to the consultation process; however notional savings of some ten million euro have accrued up to the end of 2008 due to the absence of an annual review mechanism. As part of the consultation process it was agreed that the current fees would stand and an annual review mechanism would be put in place from June of this year. It is estimated that a further €700,000 may be saved in the Treatment Benefits area during the remainder of 2009. With regard to the draw-down consultancy contracts, it is not possible to accurately project further savings in 2009 given the nature of these contracts.
