Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Health if he has approved the proposed new €10 million package for general practitioners including increased rural practice supports. [5284/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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There has been a positive engagement between the HSE, the Department and the IMO on a set of proposals for enhanced rural GP practice support and an updated list of special items of service. I welcome these proposals, which arise from the current phase of discussions under the on-going framework of engagement between the Department, the HSE and the IMO on the modernisation of the GMS GP contract.

The proposed rural practice support framework includes a change in the qualifying criteria for rural support and an increase in the financial allowance from €16,216 to €20,000 per annum. At present, 167 GPs benefit from the existing RPA. Under the new arrangements, it is expected that significantly more GPs will benefit from rural practice supports.

The proposed changes to the special items of service aim to encourage more services being provided in the primary care setting. The revised special items include increased rates of payment for suturing and bladder catheterisation, reflecting the costs and time associated with these services; and the introduction of a 24-hour blood pressure monitoring service by GPs.

The Department is currently preparing a Statutory Instrument which would give effect to the proposed arrangements. Under the legislation, the Statutory Instrument also requires the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.