Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the negotiation of a new GP contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6922/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a new GMS GP contract with an increased emphasis on the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It is envisaged that the new contract, when finalised, will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams.

As part of Budget 2014, the Government announced that it will commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children under 6 years with access to a GP service without fees. The implementation of this measure will require primary legislation which is currently being drafted. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of implementing this service. Preparations are proceeding with a view to commencement of the new service for children under 6 years by June/July 2014. In this regard, the Department and the HSE have prepared a draft contract to facilitate the introduction of the service.

A consultation process started on 31^st January 2014 relating to the content and scope of the contract. I met with key stakeholders - the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Irish Medical Organisation and the National Association of General Practitioners – to brief them on Government policy concerning the introduction of a universal GP service without fees and in particular, on the first phase concerning children under 6 years. Advertisements were published in the national newspapers on 1^st February 2014, inviting the general public and other interested parties to submit their views on the contract to the HSE. The draft contract is available for review on the HSE website at and the closing date for receipt by the HSE of written submissions is 21^st February 2014.

In parallel with the public consultation on the content and scope of the contract, the Department of Health and the HSE is engaging in an exercise to develop a fee structure which will be the subject of further discussion with relevant stakeholders. The setting of the fee rates will be a matter for the Minister for Health, subject to the provisions of the legislation currently being drafted.

Under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee for Health, work is continuing on the development of a scheme for the provision of a GP service without fees to the entire population. This includes consideration of approaches, timing, administrative and financial implications of a range of options with a view to bringing developed proposals to Government. The extension of GP services without fees will have full regard to and ensure compatibility with developments in relation to Universal Health Insurance. When Government has made decisions on these proposals, further work will be carried out in relation to the GP contract to enable full implementation of universal GP care.