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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Bansha rural GP provision

Summary

Deputy McGrath raised the failure to recruit a GP in Bansha and sought restoration of the rural practice allowance; the Tánaiste undertook to raise the matter with the Minister for Health.

I, too, want to be associated with the good wishes and I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for all his kindness and courtesy and all the Members who are retiring after long service. I want to ask the Tánaiste about an issue in Tipperary and around the country, namely, the rural practice allowance for GPs. The Tánaiste is very familiar with Bansha, County Tipperary, where there is great confusion and ineptitude on the part of HSE officials to fill the position. This is under the health information Bill.

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What Part of the Bill does it come under?

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It is very important we have information. Given that it is his last day, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be a small bit lenient with me.

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Michael P. Kitt An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

You are sailing close to the wind.

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The Tánaiste and I have mutual friends in Bansha. There is great confusion.

We do not have a GP there. Ministers promised that the rural practice allowance would be reinstated, but it has not been reinstated. We cannot get applicants. I ask the Tánaiste to intervene personally again to see if this issue can be sorted out. That would give solace and satisfaction-----

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Michael P. Kitt An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

If we can find the legislation, I am sure the Tánaiste would like to answer.

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The health information Bill is fine for me anyway. I am sure it will do the Tánaiste as well.

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I assure Deputy McGrath that Bansha is very close to my heart. I look forward to meeting him on the election trail sometime soon, perhaps in the vicinity of Bansha. I will ask the Minister for Health about Bansha. I have already spoken to him about it. I know the GP service is an absolutely vital local provision for people in the Bansha area.

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