Shortage of GPs
210. Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the situation exists which forces general practitioners over seventy years of age to retire from the GMS scheme in view of the shortage of GPs generally; when there will be a review of this ageist policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20556/06]
Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 210 together.
Under the GMS Scheme general practitioners hold one of two contract types i.e. the Fee per Item contract (first introduced in 1972) or the Capitation contract (effective from 1989). These contracts reflect the agreed outcome of negotiations between the Department of Health and Children and the GP representative body, the Irish Medical Organisation. Both contract types contain provisions which were agreed between the parties on a range of issues, including retirement age.
Under the Fee-per-Item contract it was agreed that a GP might hold the contract up to age 70. The terms of the Capitation contract which was agreed between the parties provides that GPs who entered into contracts on the date of its commencement could hold the contract up to age 70 and in all other cases the GP would hold the contract to age 65. Doctors may, of course, continue to practise as private practitioners and treat private patients following retirement from the GMS Scheme.
I am committed to ensuring that there is an adequate supply of doctors to meet the future manpower needs of the GMS Scheme. Following consultation with the Irish College of General Practitioners, in 2004, on the issue it was agreed to increase the number of GP trainee places on GP vocational training schemes nationally from 84 to 150, on a phased basis. I have provided additional funding of €2 million in 2005 and an additional €4 million in 2006 for this measure.