Health Services Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Ceisteanna (143)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

143. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of his Department’s statement last week that in a full year, the additional cost of the universal under-six service, including the preventative wellness checks and arrangements for management of asthma in general practice, would be approximately €67 million, the additional funding that will be provided in 2015, in view of the fact that €25 million was allocated in budget 2015 and the subsequent Health Service Executive Service plan. [15052/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The additional cost of an enhanced GP service for all 436,000 children aged under 6 is €67 million approximately in a full year. This includes the cost of providing services to approximately 270,000 children who currently must pay to see a GP. €25 million had already been set aside in the HSE National Service Plan, based on the new arrangement starting early in Quarter 2. As the service will now commence somewhat later, any additional costs in 2015 are expected to be relatively modest.