Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The capitation rates payable to GPs under the GMS scheme and other GMS payment/support rates, as well as fees for certain non-GMS services, are set out in the Public Service Pay and Pension Act 2017 (Section 42) (Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2019 as amended.

It is important to note that the capitation rates payable to a GP under the GMS scheme are dependent on the contract they hold and whether they have signed up to the 2019 GP Agreement and the recent GP Agreement 2023. The 2019 regulations have been amended to reflect the increased capitation rates available under both Agreements.

As of the start of September, 2,544 GPs hold a GMS contract, over 2,450 GPs have now signed up for the GP Agreement 2023. Therefore for the vast majority of GMS GPs the capitation rates payable are those set out among the fees included in S.I. 458 of 2023, while the new capitation fee for children aged 6 and 7 under the Under 8s Contract is set out in S.I. 459 of 2023.

The capitation rates set under the GP Agreement 2023 represent an increase on the rates provided under the 2019 GP Agreement as follows: an average increase in the rate for 6 and 7 year old GMS patients under the Under 8s Contract from approximately €65.00 to €100.00, and a 10% increase to the rates for GMS patients aged between 13 and 69 years (inclusive).

The capitation rates applicable now to over 96% of GMS GPs, those who hold an Under 8s contract and have signed up to the GP Agreement 2023, are set out below. There is no change to these rates scheduled for 2024 following the 10% increase provided for under the 2023 Agreement. For clarity, the other payment rates provided under the GMS scheme, including capitation rates specific to the Asthma Cycle of Care programme and the Chronic Disease Management programme, are not listed.