Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2013
226. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the way he intends to deliver on the reduction of fees payable to health professionals of some €70 million as outlined in the Health Service national plan 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2261/13]
View answerOn Budget Day, it was announced that the fees/allowances payable to certain health professionals will be reviewed. The professionals concerned are General Practitioners, Pharmacists, Dentists, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians who hold contracts with the HSE, Smeartakers contracted under the CervicalCheck programme and Consultant Psychiatrists who hold contracts with the Mental Health Commission.
On 13th December 2012, the Department of Health placed a notice in the National newspapers and on the Department’s website advising that a Review under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 of payments to the above health professionals was being carried out. The notice stated that: The Minister has determined that a consultation process shall commence on 13th December 2012 and shall be completed by 11th January 2013; the Minister invites interested parties to provide written submissions to assist in his deliberations on these matters; the review shall encompass, but is not confined to, fees and allowances which have been reduced previously under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009; submissions should be sent by e-mail or post to the Department of Health to arrive not later than 5:30pm on Friday 4th January 2013.
The consultation process ended on Friday 11th January 2013. Following careful consideration of submissions made during the review and having due regard to Section 9 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009, the Minister for Health will decide whether any reductions in fees/allowances will be made, and, if so, the scale of reductions that would be fair and reasonable in the circumstances. Should the Minister decide that reductions are warranted, Regulations will be made under the FEMPI Act with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
