Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important Topical Issue. I compliment and acknowledge the work done by GPs throughout Ireland on a daily basis to look after their patients. They are a key part of the fabric of rural Ireland in particular. The existing general medical services, GMS, contract for public patients was first devised in 1972, and there has been little modification since then. There is a need to reinstate the financial supports available to rural GPs. Some 20 rural practices throughout Ireland are no longer in receipt of the rural practice allowance. There is also a need to restore the distance coding payment.

A total of 147 rural GP practices are in receipt of the rural practice allowance. It is a very restrictive payment. The payment is worth €16,200. In order to qualify for it, a practice must serve a population of fewer than 500 and be located at least 4.8 km away from an urban setting. The payment is tied to a GP, not to a particular area or practice. The withdrawal of the distance coding payment, which was given to rural GPs until 2010, is also undermining the viability of rural practices.

During recent weeks and months, I have worked very closely with Dr. Liam Glynn, a GP based in Ballyvaughan who took a High Court action against the HSE and was successful in having his rural practice allowance restored. I ask that the rural practice allowance be restored to the 20 rural practices that are no longer in receipt of it. I also request that the distance coding payment be reinstated. While I acknowledge that negotiations on a new GMS contract are under way, I ask that, as a gesture of goodwill, the payments be restored. There are two particular areas in County Clare, Feakle in east Clare and Kildysart in west Clare, that are no longer in receipt of the payment. There is a feeling in the GP community that they are aging and we need to make it more attractive for new GPs to come in and take up practices in rural Ireland. I am asking that these payments be reinstated, and I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's reply.

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