€440m in GP payments under state schemes

PAYMENTS to GPs under the medical card scheme and other state subsidies more than trebled in the past decade, reaching a record €440 million last year.

The top-earning practice under the schemes was run by Dr Anthony Crosby, Howth Road, Raheny, Dublin, which received more than €700,000 in fees and nearly €80,000 in practice supports, making a total of €781,111.

A further 30 doctors received sums in excess of €500,000 and a total of 736 earned €250,000 or more, including Fine Gael spokesman on health, Dr James Reilly TD, whose practice in Lusk, Co Dublin was paid €305,207.