Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
586. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the introduction of universal primary care as promised in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter [42775/12]
View answer587. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he remains committed to the roll out of free general practitioner care; when this legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42776/12]
View answer590. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he remains committed to extending free general practitioner care to those under the long term illness scheme; when this will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42779/12]
View answer591. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he remains committed to extending free general practitioner care to those under the high tech drugs scheme; when this will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42780/12]
View answer641. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the persons and organisations that he has met in respect of the promised legislation to roll out free general practitioner care; when he expects to publish this legislation and to have this scheme operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43033/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 587, 590, 591 and 641 together.
I am committed, as outlined in the Programme for Government, to reforming the current public health system by introducing universal GP care without fees within the first term of office of this Government. The Programme for Government provides for significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal GP care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients. Universal GP Care will be achieved on a phased basis. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment.
In July, the Government approved the general scheme of a Bill in accordance with the Programme for Government. Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by the Attorney General's office in conjunction with this Department and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
I am advised that there have been preliminary discussions with my predecessor, Minister Shortall and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) to outline policy in this regard. I expect to engage in further discussions with GPs/IMO as soon as the legislation is published.
