Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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322. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reinstate the rural practice allowance; the amount this will cost; the criteria this is based on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19436/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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323. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider extending the rural practice allowance to general practitioners who hold general medical service contracts, and practice in a centre with a population lower than 700 persons, as opposed to the current 500 person limit, and where there is no town with a population of 2,000 persons, as opposed to the current limit of 1,500 persons or more, within a 4.83 km-three mile distance; the cost that this would entail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19437/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.

The General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme, Circular 13/72, Appendix B (x) sets out the criteria for the awarding of a Rural Practice Allowance (RPA) to a GMS doctor. The circular states that "where a doctor lives or practises in a centre with a population of less than 500 and where there is not a town with a population of 1,500 or more within a 4.83 kilometre (three mile) radius of that centre the doctor will be entitled to special rural practice concessions", including an RPA. The current annual RPA is €16,216.07.

Where a GP currently holds an RPA but the circumstances underpinning this have changed, i.e. the centre of population is now greater than 500 and/or there is a town with a population of 1,500 or more within a three-mile radius of that centre, then the GP retains the RPA while they practice. However, the requirement for an RPA for the area is determined afresh in respect of any new GP practice.

No GP had the Rural Practice Allowance withdrawn in 2014. The criteria for the allowance are reviewed on the retirement/resignation of a doctor who was in receipt of the allowance. Five GPs that retired in 2014 had been in receipt of an RPA. On retirement, these posts were reviewed and it was deemed that they no longer met the criteria for payment of an RPA.

Under the February 2015 Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), talks have commenced on a new GMS GP contract. It is envisaged that the review of the GMS contract and other publicly funded health sector contracts with GPs will include consideration of how best to support General Practice in urban/deprived and rural areas so as to best meet the needs of patients with regard to the provision of general practitioner services. The Rural Practice Allowance, including any change to the existing criteria, will be considered as a part of these discussions.