Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review and revise the rural practice allowance scheme for general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42993/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE has recently reviewed its guidelines for dealing with applications for a Rural Practice Allowance from GPs applying for a GMS contract in remote rural areas. The purpose of the new guidance is to ensure consistency, transparency and fairness in decision-making in respect of the relevant discretionary provisions of the GMS contract pertaining to the granting or otherwise of the allowance to new applicants. The new guidance does not, however, affect existing holders of the allowance.

The HSE, Department of Health and Irish Medical Organisation are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the GMS and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. Among the many topics being looked at by this review process is the issue of supports for General Practice in remote rural areas, including the Rural Practice Allowance.