Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - GMS Scheme.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

251 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will bring more doctors into the general medical services to cover the planned expansion of the scheme to give medical cards to those over 65 years on fixed State pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22268/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am satisfied that the number of general practitioners contracted with the health boards to provide services to medical card holders under the general medical services scheme is adequate to meet current needs.

The Government has identified as a key priority in its programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, a review of medical card eligibility for the elderly and large families. My Department is currently making the necessary arrangements to advance this review with the health boards. Pending the outcome of this review, any consideration as to the number of doctors in the scheme does not arise at this stage.