Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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298. To ask the Minister for Health the age limit for extension of GMS contracts; if general practitioners may operate under the GMS contract after age 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31986/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, general practitioners (GPs) hold one of two contract types, i.e. the Fee-Per-Item contract (first introduced in 1972 and ceased for new applicants in 1989) or the Capitation contract (effective from 1989). Over 99% of GPs hold the 1989 capitation contract. Both contract types contain provisions relating to retirement age. Up until 1 October 2009, the Capitation contract provided that GPs who entered into contracts on the date of its commencement could hold the contract up to age 70 and that all subsequent GP contractors could hold the contract up to age 65. The Fee-Per-Item contract has always made provision for termination upon the GP reaching 70 years of age.

In 2009, the retirement provisions were amended. GP contract holders under the GMS Scheme and/or the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme and/or the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme and who were at that time compulsorily required to retire at 65 years of age, were permitted from 1 October 2009 to continue to hold their contract(s) until their 70th birthday. Similar arrangements also apply to GPs who obtain contracts after 1 October 2009. Self-employed GP contractors may, subject to continued registration with the Medical Council, continue to practise and to treat private patients following retirement from the above Schemes.