Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
247. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow may expect to avail of a general practitioner visit card under the long term illness scheme and if a general practitioner visit card will automatically issue to those patients on the LTI card or do they have to apply for the card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9210/13]
View answerThe 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 the 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.
