Eoghan Murphy
Question:595. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding general practitioners. [46786/15]
View answerWednesday, 13 January 2016
Questions (595)
Written answers
Under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GP's are remunerated for a range of services which they provide to medical card and GP card-holders. As a consequence of the severe difficulties arising from the economic and fiscal crisis of recent years, it was necessary between 2009 and 2013 to reduce certain payments to general practitioners under the GMS contract. These changes were given effect under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009. These reductions applied to all fees and allowances, including payments for special items.
Having regard to the easing of the State's financial position, the Department of Health will shortly commence a formal consultation process under section 9 of the FEMPI Act 2009, as amended by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015, in respect of the fees and allowances payable to contracted general practitioners.
Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 546.