Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013
282. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total number of general practitioners in this State at 31 May 2011, 2012 and 2013; the total State remuneration of same; if he will provide a breakdown of same by capitation and other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31431/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in terms of State contribution, the lowest, highest and median pay of general practitioners here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31438/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 289 together.
The number of medical practitioners registered as trained specialists in the specialty of General Practice on the Specialist Division of the Medical Council's Register of Medical Practitioners is as follows:
- As of 31st May 2011 = 2,279;
- As of 31st May 2012 = 2,583; and
- As of 31st May 2013 = 2,766.
The HSE, principally through the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS), makes payments to contracted General Practitioners (GPs) for services they provide under a range of agreements including the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, the GP Visit Card Scheme, the National Immunisation Schemes, the Health (Amendment) Act 1996, Heartwatch, the Methadone Treatment Scheme and the National Cancer Screening Service.
The PCRS publishes a Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments for each year in respect of payments which it makes to contracted health professionals, including GPs. These are available on line at: http://www.pcrs.ie/ PCRS Publications.
The 2011 Report (the most recent report published) states that €469.36 million was paid to GPs in 2011 (approximately €438 million of which related to the GMS Scheme).
The 2010 Report states that €493.83 million was paid to GPs in 2010 (approximately €460 million of which related to the GMS Scheme).
It is also worth noting that the number of GMS patients has increased each year over this period to date.
In relation to the additional information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
