James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 287: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to examine the compulsory retirement age of 65 for GMS contract holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26807/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme general practitioners hold one of two contract types, i.e. the Fee per Item contract (first introduced in 1972) or the Capitation contract (effective from 1989). These contracts reflect the agreed outcome of negotiations between my Department and the GP representative body, the Irish Medical Organisation. Both contract types contain provisions relating to the retirement age. The Capitation contract provides that GPs who entered into contracts on the date of its commencement could hold the contract up to age 70 and that all subsequent GP contractors could hold the contract up to age 65. The Fee per Item contract terminates upon the GP reaching 70 years of age.

In the context of a review of the contractual arrangements for the provision of services under the GMS Scheme and other publicly funded schemes, I have asked my Department, in conjunction with the HSE, to examine provisions relating to the age at which GPs must cease to hold contracts.