Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current state of preparation regarding his plans for free general practitioner care. [26390/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Programme for Government provides for significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients. This commitment will be achieved on a phased basis to allow for the recruitment of additional doctors, nurses and other primary care professionals.

Access to primary care without fees will be extended in the first year to claimants of free drugs under the Long-Term Illness Scheme and in the second year to claimants of free drugs under the High-Tech Drugs Scheme. Access to subsidised primary care will be extended to all in the next phase and universal access to care without fees will occur in the final phase.

I will oversee the implementation of this programme with the assistance of a project team of officials from my Department and the HSE.