Free GP care and NTMA legislation
Michael McGrath asks when legislation for free GP care for under-sixes and the National Treasury Management Agency investment-fund Bill will be introduced. The Tánaiste expects both measures shortly, with the NTMA Bill due before the new year.
I wish to raise two issues with the Tánaiste, first, in the area of health and the budgetary promise to introduce free GP care for all children under the age of six. Can the Tánaiste give a specific timeline as to when we will see that legislation, and when does the Government intend to make that facility available to families?
Second, when we will have the National Treasury Management Agency (No. 1) Bill, which relates to the strategic investment fund and the National Pensions Reserve Fund and putting the investment fund on a statutory basis to get at least some of the more than €6 billion awaiting deployment for viable commercial projects up and running as quickly as possible?
Comment on this
The legislation in respect of the introduction of free GP care for children under the age of six is being prepared by the Minister of State, Deputy White, and by the Minister, Deputy Reilly. We expect to have that legislation before Government in the very near future.
In respect of the National Treasury Management Agency (No. 1) Bill, the intention is to publish that this session. We expect to see it published before the House returns in the new year.