asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to postpone the new health services to come into operation in certain areas on 1st April, 1970; and, if so, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Health Services.
1.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the introduction of the proposed reorganised general medical service to replace the existing dispensary system.
The final decision on the dates of commencement of the new scheme will depend on when the Irish Medical Association and the Medical Union are in a position to indicate their decision on the terms I have offered. As a referendum among their members is being carried out by these bodies at present, I do not expect to receive a decision from them for a few weeks.
Does the Minister agree that he has already assured the general public that in certain areas the scheme will commence as from the 1st April, 1971? Is the Minister going back on his word now?
No. I always said I was assuming agreement with the Irish Medical Association and the Irish Medical Union. The Deputy can look back on my answers to questions and he will see that I always made that clear.
Will the Minister say how long he has been negotiating with those bodies?
The negotiations have been proceeding for a considerable time. Our final offer was made on July 23rd.
If the final offer is rejected what happens the new health scheme?
That is something I could not possibly say at this moment.
Question No. 2.
In view of the fact that the request of the Medical Association is not unreasonable will the Minister consider first those people who require the new services and make a special effort to comply with the wishes of all concerned in the Medical Association?
I have nothing to add to what I have said in reply to previous questions on this matter. I have made it absolutely clear that this is a final offer to the Irish Medical Association and the Irish Medical Union. I have also made it clear that as part of the agreement an arbitrator can be appointed and that one year or two years after the scheme has been in operation, according to their wish, the arbitrator can examine the results of the scheme and the service fees accrued to the members of the medical organisations. He can pronounce as to whether the terms offered were reasonably fair and he can take into account all relevant factors, including the number of services performed by the doctors, in comparison with what was foreseen and predicted by my Department and concerning which there was a great deal of discussion with the Irish Medical Union and the Irish Medical Association.
Is it not a fact that the Minister has offered 15s to the Irish Medical Union and the Irish Medical Association, that they have refused that sum and have asked the Minister for £1? Is that not the deadlock? Are all the medical services to be totally disrupted because the Minister will not budge an inch one way or the other? I suggest to him he might consider dividing that sum.
The Deputy is completely wrong. Prolonged negotiations took place in which the fees for services offered were considerably increased. The fees for services stated by the Deputy relate to surgery services and not to domiciliary services for which the fees are much higher. The Irish Medical Association and the Irish Medical Union agreed to submit the offer to their members. The Deputy may have read the joint statement on behalf of the Irish Medical Union and myself on the meeting we had on Friday night and the statement of the Irish Medical Association. I must allow the referendum to take place. It would be quite wrong for me to comment further on the matter beyond saying what I have already published: that this is a final offer.