Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I will not go into who agreed to it. Each side did their job. I am not going to get involved in that. We cannot change it, other than through changing this legislation because the fee was based on an Act of the Oireachtas passed in 2001.

Everyone agrees it was not fair or appropriate to have perverse incentives for general practitioners operating in better-off areas against those operating in disadvantaged areas. There is no doubt that with the changed fee structure, as recommended by Mr. Eddie Sullivan and accepted by the Government, and applicable from 1 January next, the fee is fair. We accept €290 is a fair fee and will be paid regardless of where the general practitioner operates.

It is appropriate that a higher fee be paid for those over 70 because they attend general practitioners more frequently than the typical person who has a medical card. The last household survey had data for 2007 which showed that over 70s visit their GP 5.2 times per year. Deputies mentioned different instances yesterday. It is true that if someone does not have to pay a charge they are more inclined to visit their general practitioner.

There is no data, from any source, available to the Department that suggests there have been better health outcomes. Deputy Reilly referred to longitudinal studies. The longitudinal study is only beginning. We do not have longitudinal studies. One is underway on children and we hope to have one underway on older people.

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