State pays GPs €300m for medical card services

GPs were paid a total of €300m by the State for their services to medical card holders in 2003.

Figures published by the General Medical Services Board indicate that 200 doctors were paid more than €250,000 each.

One Dublin-based GP received more than €500,000 while seven doctors were paid more than €400,000.

The disclosure comes just days after a public row between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, over the extension of medical card eligibility.