Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the plans to extend 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. [52330/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, 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.