David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1612. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated net full-year cost of restoring all consultants to 2012 pay scales and ensuring equalisation and pay parity within contract types by contract type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29846/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the cost estimate sought as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1613. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free general practitioner care to children under eight years of age. [29847/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1614. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free general practitioner care to children under ten years of age. [29848/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1615. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free general practitioner care to children under 12 years of age. [29849/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1613, 1614 and 1615 together.

My officials and the HSE are engaged in preparatory work for the commencement of the initial stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are currently underway with the intention of introducing this service this year.

The consultations with the IMO include discussions on the scope of services to be provided and the rate of fees payable to GPs for the provision of that service, variables that will effect the cost of the service. For this reason it is not possible to give an estimate of the cost of extending GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Similarly, it is not possible to give an estimate of the cost of the further stages of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1616. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of all consultants on type A contracts moving to the new Sláintecare contract. [29850/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1617. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of all consultants on type B contracts moving to the new Sláintecare contract. [29851/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1618. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of removing private practice from public hospitals. [29852/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1619. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of removing all private healthcare from public hospitals. [29853/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1620. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of removing the private health insurance advantage from public hospitals. [29854/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1619 and 1620 together.

The removal of private practice from public hospitals is a core principle of Sláintecare, ensuring that public healthcare facilities are used for public patients only, and that public patients can access public hospitals based on clinical need. The de Buitléir Report estimated that the income from private activity was approximately €524 million in 2018 and that the additional public activity which would happen if private activity was no longer occurring in public hospitals would generate additional statutory public charges of up to €52 million. The report can be found at the following link assets.gov.ie/26529/aed7ee0317ff49a7a609974772cf2191.pdf.