GP fee cuts set to save €34m a year

REDUCTIONS in GP fees are expected to save €34 million in a full year, Minister Mary Harney said yesterday when she announced disputed cuts for medical professionals.

Dentists will have their fees reduced by €2.5m and dispensing opticians by just over €1m. The minister said she had not yet finalised the cost-cutting measures in relation to pharmacists.

Fees payable to GPs and others who provide cervical smear taking services under the CervicalCheck programme is expected to net €0.63m in the current year and €1.1m in a full year, the minister said.