I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 to 414, inclusive, together.
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework.
As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. The decision to commence the roll-out with this age cohort is in accordance with the recommendation in Right from the Start, the Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the Early Years Strategy. Universal screening and surveillance services are already made available for children in this age cohort. Evidence suggests that a high-quality primary care system with universal access will achieve better outcomes for young children.
The implementation of this measure will require primary legislation. The necessary administrative arrangements will be made when the specifics of the legislation are known.
A public consultation process started on 31st January 2014 relating to the content and scope of a new GP contract to underpin the provision of GP care, free at the point of use, for all children aged under six years. I met with key stakeholders on 31st January - the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) – to brief them on Government policy concerning the introduction of a universal GP service without fees and in particular, on the first phase concerning children under 6 years.
I wish to take this opportunity again to reiterate that the document which was put out for consultation is a draft . I am aware that GPs have raised a number of concerns, including the resourcing of general practice and the need for meaningful negotiation with the GP representative bodies.
General Practice is resourced through a range of payments to GPs under various contracts, including the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In 2013, GMS fees and allowances paid to GPs totalled in the region of €453 million and GPs also generate funds through private practice. The Government is also providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of providing GP care, free at the point of use, for all children aged under six years.
It is my intention to meet with the GP representative bodies in the coming weeks for detailed discussions on the scope and content of the draft contract. This will afford them the fullest opportunity to raise any and all issues which they may have regarding the draft contract, including concerns about their compliance with the Medical Practitioners Act, professional competence and other laws governing GPs. It will also enable them to make their own proposals as to how the draft contract may be improved. Consequently, I have no doubt that there will be changes to the text of the draft contract following the consultation process.
On 27th February 2014, I wrote to the IMO stating that the Department and the HSE are fully prepared to engage meaningfully with them and are prepared to negotiate with them on all aspects of the scope and content of the proposed contract. However, the ultimate setting of fees must remain a matter for the Minister for Health, though there will be an opportunity for their input on this aspect, and on the fee structure, which it is proposed to address by means of a separate consultation process. I have formally invited the IMO to meet with the Department and the HSE to commence this process during this week or on another mutually agreeable date if this week does not suit.
In relation to the Deputy’s question about ministerial involvement in the drafting of the contract, my ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health and I have not personally written any part of the draft contract; however, I as Minister of State for Primary Care have overseen the development of the draft contract.
