Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 723 and 724 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of services without charges to medical card and GP visit card holders.

Under the GMS contract, in general contracted GPs are to make themselves routinely available for consultation by eligible persons at their approved surgery for a total of 40 hours each week on five days or more in the week, by agreement with the HSE. The GP's hours of availability are to have regard to their patient's needs in the locality.

As private practitioners, GPs who do not hold a GMS contract with the HSE and consult patients in a private capacity only may determine their own hours of service as they see fit.

As the question raised is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.