Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding free general practitioner visit announced in Budget 2012, for persons who are under the long term illness programme; the date on which this will commence and the total cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40462/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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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.

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