Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 727: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on planned primary legislation that will extend general practitioner cover without fees to persons with defined long-term illnesses who are in receipt of drugs and medicines under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34369/12]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 751: To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that over 60,000 people with long term illnesses who were promised free general practitioner care in December's budget are still without the service, when this matter will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34512/12]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 785: To ask the Minister for Health when the programme to grant medical cards to citizens with long-term illnesses will commence, in view of the fact that funding is provided for this in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34802/12]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 804: To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made in the roll out of free medical cards for those with long term illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 857: To ask the Minister for Health when the necessary legislation will be introduced to grant general practitioner visit cards to long term illness claimants be published; when it will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35338/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 871: To ask the Minister for Health when the necessary legislation will be introduced to grant a general practitioner visit card to long term illness claimants be published; when it will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 727, 751, 785, 804, 857 and 871 together. The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees.

Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by the Attorney General's office and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.