Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
130 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform the fees system for paying GPs for medical certificates; the costs for these fees in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27719/12]
View answerPayments of medical certification fees in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 in this Department are as follows:
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 (Quarter1 and Quarter 2) |
|
Certificates |
€25,803,418 |
€28,219,925 |
€10,462,477 |
|
Reports |
€2,908,376 |
€3,436,501 |
€2,098,413 |
|
Total |
€28,711,794 |
€31,656,426 |
€12,560,890 |
In Budget 2012, it was announced that a reduction of 10% of the administrative cost of medical certification would be achieved this year. Expenditure for medical certification fees in 2012 is expected to be €26.5m compared to €31.7m in 2011 (which is a reduction of 16%). This projected reduction in payments to certifiers is being facilitated by a reform that has been introduced in the fee administration system i.e. reduced frequency for issuing certificates for certain categories of customers. The total payment of €12,560,890 issued in respect of the first half of 2012 indicates that payments are within this target profile.
