Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1064. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount it would cost to hire 500 directly employed GPs, 100 speech and language therapists, 100 psychologists, 100 occupational therapists and 100 physiotherapists to staff primary care centres. [36359/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the HSE does not directly hire GPs, it is not possible to quantify the financial implications for the HSE of additional GPs being hired to provide services to the public health system under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme and other schemes. GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on a capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service, which include allowances for the hiring of practice nurses and secretarial support. The amount payable in respect of certain supports is related to the doctor's panel size. In addition, medical indemnity insurance premia are refunded to contract GPs, also based on the size of each doctor's GMS panel.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in regard to the costs associated with the hiring of the other grades mentioned.
