Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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516. To ask the Minister for Health the full year cost in 2018 of providing free general practitioner care to all. [39786/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The cost of GP visit and medical cards varies significantly with the age of the cardholder. The table following outlines the current indicative annual cost for GP visit card eligibility and medical card eligibility, by age group.

Indicative Annual Cost per Card

Note: Data is compiled by the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service, based on available information for the 6 month period to February 2017 and by extrapolation to full year costs.

The extension of free GP care to all citizens not currently covered by a medical card 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. The estimated cost of extending free GP care to all citizens 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. 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 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. I have welcomed the publication of the Sláintecare report and in particular I have been encouraged by the level of cross party and stakeholder support that it has attracted. Work is underway to develop a detailed response to the Report for consideration by Government in December.