Vol. 459 No. 6
78 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to fund designated general practitioner posts in each health board area which would be skilled in the provision of specialised family planning services, such as IUD fittings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18176/95]
, Limerick East): In accordance with the policy set out in the health strategy, it is my intention that an accessible and comprehensive family planning service will be developed in each health board area. To this end, I have provided specific funding in the current year to enable health boards to develop comprehensive family planning services. General practitioners, as part of their normal professional activities, provide a wide range of family planning services and the role of the general practitioner in this area has been fully recognised by the health boards.
As regards the designation of specific general practitioner posts to carry out specialised family planning services, a policy document has already been circulated by the Irish College of General Practitioners in this respect and it will be open to health boards to deal with and fund any service deficits which they identify, including skills deficits, in the context of the implementation of their service plans.
