Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 June 2016
160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his Department’s estimate of the cost of introducing free general practitioner care for all citizens was between €330 million and €365 million, excluding those younger than six and older than 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15152/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreviously, an estimate of the additional cost of providing a universal general practice service to the entire population was made, based on the then scope of services and rates of payments and eligibility, which was in the region of €330 million and €365 million. This estimate included costs related to the provision of the service to children under six 6 years of age and to all persons over 70 years of age. However, the basis of that estimate was made prior to the fees being set for the new enhanced services to be provided in accordance with the under 6s GP contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and the prevention of disease, including asthma care.
The Deputy will be aware that following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation in 2015, the parties are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. 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 actual costs of extending free GP care to all citizens may vary from any estimates previously provided, as these are produced on the basis of current costs at a given point in time.
