Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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103. To ask the Minister for Health the yearly cost of extending free general practitioner care to the population over six years of age and under 70 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16939/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is committed to introducing a universal GP service without fees on a phased basis. The first phase will be for all children aged under 6 years. This service will commence during the summer. In parallel with this, the second phase will extend universal GP care without fees to all persons aged 70 years and over, subject to the passing of the necessary legislation. These measures represent a major step on the way to universal health care. By this summer, approximately 800,000 people in Ireland will benefit from universal access to GP services.

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. The principles of universality and equity of access mean that all residents in Ireland should be entitled to access a GP service.

Children under 6 will benefit from a new enhanced service under the proposed GP contract. This will involve age-based preventive checks focused on health and wellbeing and the prevention of disease. The contract will also cover an agreed cycle of care for children diagnosed with asthma. The costs of the enhanced GP service for all children under 6 years of age will be approximately €67 million. The annual cost of the over-70 year old phase, based on existing GMS GP costs, is estimated at €18 million.

The additional cost of providing a universal GP service to the entire population was previously estimated at €330m-€365m on the basis of the existing scope of the service, rates of payments to GPs and eligibility. In the absence of specific changes to the scope and content of the GP service, the relevant fee structure or the eligibility rates, it would not be possible for an additional exercise to yield a more valid estimate in respect of the remainder of the population at this point in time.