Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Health when the necessary legislation will be enacted to provide general practitioner visit cards to long term illness claimants as part of the roll-out of a national chronic disease management programme for diabetes; the method with which diabetes patients will be informed of the enactment of this legislation; if the current medical card application form will be used to permit diabetes patients apply for the GP visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/12]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Health when primary legislation will be published to facilitate the extension of free general practitioner care to all claimants of medicines under the long term illness scheme as announced in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20678/12]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health if and when patients on the long term illness scheme who are not in receipt of a medical card will receive free general practitioner care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20879/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 208, 210 and 229 together.

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 a defined illness. 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. The Department is currently working on preparing legislation, which is intended to be published as soon as possible.