Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health when agreements to extend free general practitioner care to all claimants of medicines under the long term illness scheme announced in Budget 2012 will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15874/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this reform programme, the Government is committed to introducing Universal GP Care within the first term of office of this Government.

Initially it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to persons with defined long-term illnesses who are in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. Once primary legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, the details of the new arrangements will be announced.