Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding the roll out of free general practitioner care. [1325/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Government is embarking on a major programme of reform of the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need rather than income. A fundamental element of the reform process involves significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access to GP services. This commitment will be achieved on a phased basis. Access to GP care without fees will be extended in 2012 to claimants of free drugs under the Long-Term Illness Scheme and in 2013 to claimants of free drugs under the High-Tech Drugs Scheme. Access to subsidised GP care will be extended to all in the next phase and universal access to GP care without fees will occur in the final phase. Primary legislation is required to give effect to these commitments. It is hoped that free GP care for claimants of free drugs under the Long-Term Illness Scheme will be in place by early Summer. There will be an announcement in due course about the start date for this arrangement.