Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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473. To ask the Minister for Health the provisions in place for a person (details supplied) who needs a form signed by a doctor to have a driver licence renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2273/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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While there is currently exceptional demand for GP services in the context of Covid-19, GPs continue to see patients for non-Covid related services where necessary, albeit with infection-control measures in place. Nurse and doctor advice is provided over the phone where appropriate, and patients who are clinically assessed as requiring a face to face consultation with a doctor are referred for an appointment.

Where a face to face consultation is necessary, including those for non-clinical matters, this should be discussed between the GP or GP practice and the person concerned. The National Driver Licence Service provides advice on the requirements for medical reports for licence applications, which must be completed by a registered medical practitioner.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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474. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider capping fees charged by general practitioners for face-to-face and telephone consultations for public and private patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2276/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, patient in-person contact with GPs has been curtailed as much as possible to help prevent the spread of the virus. Nurse and doctor advice is provided over the phone where appropriate, and only patients who are clinically assessed as requiring a face to face consultation with a doctor are referred for an appointment.

Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for the provision of those services. Medical and GP visit card holders are not subject to a charge for GP face to face or phone consultations.

People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis, including non-Covid-19 related face to face and phone consultations. Fees charged by GPs for privately provided services are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and their patients.