Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1720. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if the income for new-entrant general practitioner training has been cut by 20%, even though such trainees are not entitled to specialist registrar status or salary; if the out-of-hours allowance for general practitioners in their registry year has been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38210/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009, a reduction in a range of GP fees and allowances was introduced in 2009 and 2010. General Practitioner (GP) trainees did not specifically receive a cut in salary, other than the salary reduction applied to all staff in 2010. In addition, new entrant interns are subject to the new entrant salary scale which has been reduced by 10%. The GP Trainee Allowance continues to be paid for existing GP trainees, but is not being paid to any new beneficiary with effect from 1st February 2012, pending the outcome of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Review of Allowances.
In relation to the out-of-hours payment to GP trainees, this payment has not been abolished. However, out-of-hours payments have been suspended for this year's trainees who are moving from a hospital placement to a General Practice placement, i.e. 3rd year trainees (not having been in receipt of this allowance previously). GP trainees in their 4th year of training will continue to get the out-of-hours payment this year. Final decisions on this will depend on the outcome of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Review of Allowances.
