Róisín Shortall
Question:458. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he plans to reverse the FEMPI cuts for general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32033/18]
View answerThursday, 12 July 2018
Questions (458)
Written answers
I acknowledge the contribution made by health contractors, including General Practitioners, through reductions in their fees to addressing the unprecedented economic crisis faced by the State.
The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 now allows the setting and varying of contractor payments on a non-emergency statutory basis. It is my intention to put in place a new multiannual approach to fees in return for service improvements and contractual reforms based upon health policy considerations and engagement with representative bodies.
Officials from my Department and the HSE met with the Irish Medical Organisation at the beginning of May to set out the State's position in relation to reform of the GMS contract. Agreement on the delivery of service improvements and contractual reform has the potential to facilitate a substantial increase in the resourcing of general practice on a multiannual basis.
The Department subsequently wrote to the IMO setting out these proposals formally. While officials remain available for further discussion, the Organisation has yet to respond.
In line with the long established approach to such processes, and by agreement of the parties concerned, I am not in a position to give further details while discussions between the parties are underway.