Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing universal health insurance; the estimated charges being imposed on persons with and without medical insurance for UHI; the way medical card patients will be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health when he expects to publish the While Paper on Universal Health Insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37114/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1546 and 1574 together.

The Government is committed to fundamental reform of healthcare in Ireland that will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance (UHI), where access is based on need, not income. Every individual will have a choice of health insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services. A new Insurance Fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy.

In February, I established an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance which will assist in developing detailed implementation plans for universal health insurance and driving implementation of various elements of the health reform programme.

The Group will also assist my Department in preparing a White Paper on Financing Universal Health Insurance. The White Paper will outline the estimated costs and financing mechanisms associated with the introduction of universal health insurance. Preparation of the White Paper is a complex process. It will involve significant financial modelling to support analysis of different design options and to estimate the cost of UHI. The White Paper will be published as early as possible within the Government’s term of office.

The reform programme is a major undertaking that requires careful sequencing over a number of years. The Implementation Group will continue in existence throughout the health reform process and will oversee implementation of the reforms and consult widely.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing free GP care; the expected number of patients to be affected; when he expects it to be implemented; the number of times he has met representative bodies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37087/12]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing and extending free general practitioner care to those with long-term illnesses; the expected number of patients to be affected; when he expects it to be implemented; the number of times he has met representative bodies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37088/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1547 and 1548 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 this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.

I have met with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish College of General Practitioners to outline the Government's intentions and further discussions will be arranged once the legislation is finalised.

An annual budget of €15 million was provided for the first phase of the roll out of GP care without fees.