Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their contributions. I look forward to a longer debate on this issue at a time of the House's choosing. I assure Deputy Shortall that I am deadly serious when it comes to the reorientation of the health service, as, in fairness, is she.

The real test for the House will be when I begin bringing forward legislation on issues such as geographical alignment. I intend to publish my proposals on geographical alignment before the summer recess and I expect them to be very closely aligned with the report of the Sláintecare committee. Let us then see Deputies put their money where their mouth is. Deputy Shortall is aware how jittery politicians get when one starts drawing lines on maps and when they hear from the vested interests to which she referred. I will return to the House with proposals that will result in massive reform of the HSE, devolve far more authority to the regions and, crucially, integrate the currently ridiculously disparate situation whereby our community health organisations and hospital groups operate as separate entities and, often, separate fiefdoms. It will take several years to get to where we need to be. I will go to Government with my proposals in that regard and publish them in advance of the summer recess.

Several Deputies stated that the agreement is to be welcomed, but that simply restores the cuts. Of course, in many ways it is restoring funding, but an honest analysis of the situation is that it does more than that. FEMPI accounted for approximately €120 million, but this deal is worth €210 million. I recognise that Deputies have welcomed elements of the agreement, if not all of it. The agreement has been very warmly welcomed by many general practitioners, patient advocacy groups and, indeed, the Irish Medical Organisation, which worked very hard on it, as well as the National Association of General Practitioners in its public commentary to date. I join other Deputies in thanking my officials, led by Fergal Goodman and Eugene Lennon, as well as officials in the HSE who put many late nights and an intense amount of work into arriving at this point.

Several Deputies referred to Deep End Ireland. I met its representatives during the Sláintecare process and am aware that the Sláintecare committee also heard from them. They made the point that we have effectively had a rural allowance for many years, which is proper order. That allowance will be increased by 10% next year on foot of this agreement. However, they also pointed out that, recognising that there are also difficulties and deprivation in urban Ireland, we need a dedicated fund in that regard which may be the equivalent of that for rural Ireland and the details of which could be worked out with GPs. The €2 million annual fund will make a difference.

Deputy Harty was honest and fair in his analysis of the situation when he stated that within the agreement is a tangible sign of movement on Sláintecare. The agreement has at its heart the ehealth agenda, without which Sláintecare cannot be delivered. It also focuses significantly on chronic disease management and integrated care. It is very much Sláintecare in action.

Members are aware of the difficulties experienced in general practice. I acknowledge those difficulties and this deal is recognition of them. However, I must also put some facts on the record of the House. The number of GPs on the Medical Council specialist register continues to increase. There were 2,270 GPs registered with the Medical Council in 2010 and 3,729 as of 1 January last.

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