Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the roll-out of free general practitioner care for all children under 12 years of age. [26067/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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202. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the roll-out of free general practitioner care for all children under 18 years of age. [26068/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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203. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the roll-out of free general practitioner care to the general population. [26069/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 to 203, inclusive, together.

The cost of GP visit and medical cards varies significantly with the age of the cardholder. The following table outlines the current indicative annual cost for medical card eligibility and GP visit card eligibility, by age groups:

Note: Data is compiled by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service, based on available information to August 2016 and by extrapolation to full year costs.

The extension of free GP care to all citizens not currently covered by medical or GP visit card would encompass a further 2.6 million people approximately.

The Deputy will be aware of the ongoing review of the GMS and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs, and that the next phase of discussions to progress this work is underway. Initial engagement with GP representative bodies began in January. As with any negotiation-type process, and given the range and complexity of the issues to be discussed, the engagement may take some time.

The estimated cost of extending free GP care to all citizens, or specific cohorts of the population, will vary depending on the outcome of these negotiations and any implications they may have for the future scope and content of the general practitioner service, and the relevant fees and payments to GPs.

The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare which was published on 30 May 2017 recommended the phased introduction of universal GP care over the next five years. The Report which will be debated in the Dáil in mid-June is currently being considered by my Department.