Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health when he will issue the circular outlining the new criteria for the rural practice allowance scheme to the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9479/16]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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699. To ask the Minister for Health why the rural practice allowance framework announced in February 2016 has not yet commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9700/16]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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759. To ask the Minister for Health when he will announce the new criteria for the rural practice allowance scheme for general practitioners; and when he will issue a circular. [10031/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 659, 699 and 759 together.

The Regulations governing changes to the Rural Practice Allowance Scheme were signed on the 5th May, 2016. These Regulations provide for the introduction of the new Rural Practice Support Framework, including a change in the qualifying criteria for rural support and an increase in the financial allowance, from €16,216 to €20,000 per annum. The Regulations also revise the list of Special Items of Service, which are made available to patients under the General Medical Services scheme.

The HSE will write to GPs shortly, outlining details of the new arrangements.