Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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948. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made to date in negotiating a contract with general practitioners, as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10677/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation in February 2015, the parties commenced talks on a new GP contract. A priority of these discussions is the inclusion of chronic disease management for patients. As a first step in this process, agreement was reached on the introduction of a Diabetes Cycle of Care for adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card. This service commenced on 1 October 2015.

Rural practice was also prioritised as part of the ongoing discussions between the parties. A set of proposals concerning (i) supports for rural GP practices and (ii) special items of service was agreed between the IMO, the HSE and the Department. The Regulations providing for the introduction of the new Rural Practice Support Framework, which were signed on 5 May, 2016, include a change in the qualifying criteria for rural support and an increase in the financial allowance from €16,216 to €20,000 per annum. Further tranches of negotiations will be held to address other aspects of a new GP contract.