James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. As someone who is a member of a trade union and who was a Minister and introduced many of these FEMPI cuts because of a financial emergency, I welcome the fact that they are being unwound. They are having a hugely detrimental effect, especially on general practice, where we see a raft of young doctors leaving the country. The matter was referred to on the Order of Business today. A huge raft of older doctors will retire in the next few years and many will retire early. Many doctors have closed their lists to GMS patients.

As I said this morning, I very much welcome carers getting access to the medical card scheme. I cannot think of a more deserving group. However, I fear that the doctors will not be there to deliver the service. Therefore, having inflicted a 38% reduction through FEMPI, I hope that this will be unwound quickly. We are facing a real manpower crisis in general practice.I commend the Minister of State on the Bill.