Written answers

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Department of Health

General Practitioner Services

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be an opt-in mechanism for general practices to register for free GP care for the under sixes; if he can still guarantee that all those under six will have access to free GP care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2863/14]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex 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. 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 cost of this measure.

The implementation of this measure will require primary legislation which is being drafted. The Department and the HSE are currently considering the changes that need to be made to the GMS contract to facilitate the roll-out of GP services free to all children aged 5 and under.

Under the existing medical card and GP visit card contracts, it is always open to GPs to choose to participate or not and similar arrangements will apply under the new legislation. The Government is aiming to have this measure in place around the middle of this year.

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