Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care as outlined in the Programme for Government will be introduced; the timeframe for same; the illnesses and disabilities that will be covered under the new provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2169/13]

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 the Office of the Attorney General and the Department and it 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.