112 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will respond to the concerns of a number of doctors (details supplied) in the general medical scheme who have complained regarding the delays in payments from the South Western Area Health Board for increasingly onerous services rendered; and if he will meet with the spokesperson for these doctors. [8383/01]

The Deputy's concerns about the delay in the making of payments to general practitioners have been referred to the South Western Area Health Board for investigation. The Department will revert to the Deputy as soon as this information is to hand.

Regarding the extension of the medical card to persons aged 70 years or over from 1 July, my Department has formally invited, through the Health Services' Employers' Agency, the Irish Medical Organisation to discussions to ensure the timely and effective introduction of the budget commitment in an agreed manner. The first of those meetings took place in February.