Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
476. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 846 and 847 of 17 May 2016, the costs of introducing free general practitioner care to all citizens based on the current scope, fee structure and payments to general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11621/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2015, the HSE, Department of Health and Irish Medical Organisation are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. A priority of these discussions will be the inclusion of chronic disease management for patients. It is not possible in advance of completion of the negotiation process to foresee what the outcome of the review may be and its consequent effect on the average cost of providing those services.
Therefore, depending on the outcome of these negotiations and their implications for the future scope and content of the service, and the relevant fees and payments to GPs, the estimated cost of extending free General Practitioner care to all citizens will vary. However, the deputy may be aware that the HSE has recently published the Primary Care Reimbursement Service Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments 2014, which indicates that the average GP cost per eligible person is €235, and that the extension of free General Practitioner care to all citizens would encompass a further 2.4 million people approximately.
