Review of Regulations made under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009

The Minister for Health is required to review Regulations made under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009 that reduced certain payments payable to health professionals. On foot of the reviews, the Minister may decide to make no changes in payments, to impose further reductions or to increase payments.

The Regulations to be reviewed are as follows:

The professionals concerned are Dentists, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Pharmacists who hold contracts with the HSE, Smeartakers contracted under the CervicalCheck programme, and Consultant Psychiatrists who hold contracts with the Mental Health Commission.

The Minister has determined that a consultation process shall commence on 17 October 2011 and shall be completed by 11 November 2011.

The Minister invites interested parties to provide written submissions to assist in his deliberations on these matters.

The following should be noted in relation to submissions