Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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855. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Strategic Review of General Practice; to confirm that the review will provide sustainable solution for charity-operated GP practices in relation to the taxation of GMS contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7267/25]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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A Strategic Review of General Practice is currently underway, led by the Department of Health and supported by the HSE. With input from key stakeholders, the review is examining a range of issues affecting general practice including GP training, GP capacity, Out of Hours services reform, the eHealth Agenda, and the financial support model for general practice. The Review will identify the arrangements necessary to improve the current system of GP care as part of a primary care-focused health service.

Significant progress has been made under the review which is to be completed early this year. Following its completion, a final report will be presented to me outlining the findings of the review and setting out recommended actions for a more sustainable general practice.

The terms of reference for the Strategic Review of General Practice do not specifically reference charity-operated GP practices and the taxation of related GMS contracts. However, my Department and the HSE have had extensive engagements with such a practice over the previous months regarding issues related to the taxation of GMS contracts.

The focus of engagement has been to identify ways of ensuring the organisation is enabled to continue to deliver services on a sustainable footing. A range of solutions, aligned to statutory and contractual requirements, have been presented to the organisation concerned. Furthermore, the HSE provided for a 3rd party to give independent advice to the organisation on this matter and this advice has since been provided.