Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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479. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in the past six months towards making the holders of long-term illness cards eligible for free general-practitioner care; the legislative timetable for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52590/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework.

It became clear that the legal and administrative framework required to provide a robust basis for eligibility for a GP service based on having a particular medical condition, as outlined in the Programme for Government, was likely to be overly complex and bureaucratic for what is only a temporary first phase on the way to a universal GP service for the entire population.

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.

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 healthcare 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. Consideration is being given to a range of options for the implementation of a universal GP service with a view to bringing developed proposals to Government.