Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reform the fees system for paying GPs for medical certificates; the costs for these fees in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27719/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Payments of medical certification fees in years 2010, 2011 and 2012 in this Department are as follows:

In Budget 2012, it was announced that a reduction of 10% of the administrative cost of medical certification would be achieved this year. Expenditure for medical certification fees in 2012 is expected to be €26.5m compared to €31.7m in 2011 (which is a reduction of 16%). This projected reduction in payments to certifiers is being facilitated by a reform that has been introduced in the fee administration system i.e. reduced frequency for issuing certificates for certain categories of customers. The total payment of €12,560,890 issued in respect of the first half of 2012 indicates that payments are within this target profile.