General Practitioner Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (1056)

Pat Deering

Question:

1056. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when general practitioner only medical cards for persons with long-term illnesses, as announced in budget 2012, will be issued. [1368/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.

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 Office of the Attorney General and the Department and it will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.