Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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497. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the introduction of free general practitioner care for children aged five years and under; the estimated cost of the measure in 2014; the estimated full year cost; the timeline for the introduction of free GP care to the population as a whole; the estimated annual full year cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48362/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the full year cost of this measure. The estimated cost is based on an estimation of additional capitation costs, practice support costs, and other claims costs under the current GMS GP reimbursement arrangements.

The implementation of this measure will require primary legislation. The necessary administrative arrangements will be made during the course of 2014 when the specifics of the legislation are known.

The introduction of a universal GP service constitutes a fundamental element in the Government's health reform programme. The current Government is the first in the history of the State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population. A well functioning health system should provide equal access to health care for its patients on the basis of health needs, rather than ability to pay. The principles of universality and equity of access mean that all residents in Ireland should be entitled to access a GP services that is free at the point of use.

The Cabinet Committee on Health and Children has discussed the issues relating to the roll-out of the universal GP service and has agreed that a number of alternative options should be set out with regard to the phased implementation of a universal GP service without fees. As part of this work, consideration is being given to the approaches, timing and financial implications of the phased implementation of this universal primary care health service as a first step towards the introduction of Universal Health Insurance. A range of options are under consideration with a view to bringing developed proposals to Government shortly. The additional cost of providing access to GP services without fees for the entire population, i.e. those not currently covered by the GMS scheme, based on current rates of payments to GPs, is estimated to be between €330 million and €365 million.