Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 31: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the introduction of salaried general practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8603/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Section 58 of the Health Act 1970 provides that the Health Service Executive, HSE, shall make available without charge general practitioner services to persons with full eligibility under the Act and to persons with limited eligibility for whom, in the opinion of the executive, it would be unduly burdensome to arrange such services for themselves and their dependants. In accordance with section 7(4) of the Health Act 2004, the executive may deliver health and personal social services directly or arrange to have them delivered on its behalf.

In most cases the HSE contracts with suitably qualified and equipped providers for the delivery of general practitioner services to persons entitled under the law to receive such services free of charge. General practitioner services should, as far as possible, continue to be delivered on this basis. Where the HSE judges that the direct provision of the service is the most beneficial, effective and efficient means of meeting the needs of the relevant population, it is open to it to decide directly to employ appropriately qualified professionals for this purpose.

A review of the contractual arrangements for the delivery of publicly funded general practitioner services is being conducted at present under the chairmanship of the Labour Relations Commission. This fundamental review must result in a new set of contractual arrangements which result in the provision by general practitioners of high-quality, person-centred primary care services to individuals and communities, support the achievement of national health policy objectives and provide a challenging and fulfilling working environment for doctors.