Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal general practitioner, GP, service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the programme for Government and the future health strategy framework. It is a matter for the Government to determine policy in this area. There has been no Government decision at this stage on the details of the roll-out of a universal GP service, such as a proposal for a specific age cohort. When the Government has taken a policy decision in this area, I will engage with all relevant stakeholders, as appropriate, on the implementation and administrative arrangements.

The introduction of a universal GP service constitutes a fundamental element in the Government's health reform programme. The current Government is the first in the history of the State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population. A well functioning health system should provide equal access to health care for its patients on the basis of health needs, rather than ability to pay. The principles of universality and equity of access mean that all residents in Ireland should be entitled to access a GP service that is free at the point of use. Universal access to GP care will facilitate the early identification of medical conditions, reducing the burden of illness, greater collaboration in the provision of primary care services, improved management of chronic diseases and will improve the delivery of essential health promotion and protection measures.

It has become clear that the legal and administrative framework required to provide a robust basis for eligibility for a GP service based on having a particular medical condition, as outlined initially in the programme for Government, is likely to be overly complex and bureaucratic. Relatively complex primary legislation and detailed regulations would be required to provide a GP service to persons on the basis of their having a particular illness. In my view, this would entail putting in place a cumbersome legal and administrative infrastructure to deal with what is only a temporary first phase on the way to universal GP service to the entire population.

The Government is firmly committed to introducing a universal GP service within its term of office. The Cabinet committee on health has discussed the issues relating to the roll-out of the universal GP service and has agreed that a number of alternative options should be set out with regard to the phased implementation of a universal GP service without fees.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

As part of this work, consideration is being given to the approaches, timing and financial implications of the phased implementation of this universal primary care health service. A range of options are under consideration with a view to bringing developed proposals to the Government shortly.

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