Vol. 510 No. 5
146 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on a recent reported allegation by a member of the NAIGP that a number of general practitioners assistants, who do not qualify under the new General Medical Services entry criteria, have been asked to pay sums between £70,000 and £200,000 to buy into practices particularly in view of the fact that these lists cannot be sold. [23022/99]
The position is that entry by doctors to the GMS scheme is by way of open competition or under the one-off arrangements for entry agreed earlier this year with the Irish Medical Organisation. Sale by an existing GMS scheme doctor of his contract or any interest therein does not arise.
I am aware of the media report to which the Deputy's question relates. However, I am not aware of any actual instances of this occurring but if the Deputy has information on particular cases it should be forwarded to my Department for investigation.
