Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
653. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the extra allowances available to general practitioners who operate in Gaeltacht areas or in island communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3152/20]
View answerThe Agreement reached in 2019 on GP Contractual Reforms and Service Development will see an increase in expenditure on GP services of €210 million by 2023, providing for significant increases in capitation fees for all participating GPs, and the introduction of new fees and subsidies for additional services such as the chronic disease management programme.
The Agreement also includes measures aimed specifically at rural GPs, including those in Gaeltacht and Island areas, as well as practices in urban areas of deprivation. As part of this package, the financial allowance available to eligible GP practices for the Rural Practice Support Framework has been increased by 10% from this year to a maximum of €22,000.
Additionally, the Agreement provides for a phased 28% increase in fees from 2020-2022 for dispensing doctors, GPs in rural areas that dispense medicines directly to patients who do not live within a reasonable distance of a retail pharmacy.
