Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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301. To ask the Minister for Health if matters raised (details supplied) in respect of fees paid to general practitioners will be examined. [10781/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The fees payable to GPs and pharmacists for the administration of vaccines against Covid-19 were set following consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Pharmacy Union. Where fees are paid to GPs, these are intended to include the full costs of scheduling and administering the vaccine and must cover not only GP pay, but also the additional payments to practice nurses and practice administrators who will be involved in providing vaccinations outside of normal clinic hours, as well as the additional costs of cleaning surgeries.

GPs and pharmacists are being asked to provide a proactive vaccination service which will require dedicated vaccination clinics while also maintaining regular services. They are also being asked to undertake administrative functions with regard to patient identification and consent. As with other types of vaccinations, the fees reflect the amount of time required, administrative complexity, and the level of post-vaccination care likely required. Furthermore, as Ireland has a blend of public and private GP-care provision, the fees have been agreed in consideration that GPs will be providing this service to both private and public patients on an equal basis without charge.