Timmy Dooley
Ceist:460. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when the Government will provide a GP visit card to all children under 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30530/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 October 2016
Ceisteanna (460, 465)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:465. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when free GP care will be extended to all children under 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30545/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 465 together.
The Government is strongly committed to the development of Primary Care Services in Ireland. There have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the Health Service Executive.
The HSE, Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the GMS and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. To date, agreements have been reached in relation to universal GP care without fees for all children under the age of 6 years, universal GP care without fees for all people aged 70 years and over, a specific Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult patients with Type 2 diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card, a new Rural Practice Support Framework and a revised list of special items of service that can be provided by GPs. Preparations for the next phase of the discussions on other aspects of a new contract are under way and I expect that further engagement with GP representative bodies will take place this year.
The Programme for Government commits to extend in phases, and subject to negotiation with GPs, free GP care to under-18s. This is one of the matters to be discussed in the forthcoming contractual discussions with GP representatives. The extension of GP care without fees to children aged 6-11 years is a priority for me. While my wish is that this would happen as soon as possible, the timetable is subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters.