A further round of "talks about talks" between the Government and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) on plans to introduce free GP care for children under age six are to take place next week.
Both sides yesterday held their first direct engagement aimed at finding a mechanism to allow for negotiations.
A spokeswoman for Minister of State for Health Alex White described yesterday's talks as "useful". The IMO also described the talks as "useful".
The Government is seeking to introduce free GP care for under-sixes from this summer as a first step towards the provision of universal family doctor care for everyone by 2016. Free GP care is also a key element of the Government's plans to introduce universal health insurance for all by 2019.
Draft contract
However, the free GP plan has been beset by rows with doctors over the draft contract for the proposed service drawn up by health service management and over whether the Government can or cannot negotiate with the IMO on the fee levels to apply.
The Government has insisted that under competition law it cannot negotiate on fees with GPs who are not State employees but are independent contractors.
Addressing the IMO’s annual conference last month Mr White said there were many issues relating to a proposed contract for the new service which could be negotiated with the IMO but that ultimately the setting of the fees had to remain a matter for the Minister.
