Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has told an Irish Medical Organisation conference that expanding free GP care will not overwhelm general practice, but extra visits will require more resources for GPs.
The IMO has warned that Government plans to expand free GP care to hundreds of thousands more people will result in waiting lists for the family doctor service for the first time.
At its annual conference in Killarney, Dr Tadhg Crowley, chairperson of the union's GP Committee, said currently routine GP appointments can be up to two weeks.
He told the conference there was no clarity about the actual extra numbers who would become eligible under the new plan and the concern was that the 500,000 extra patients estimated by the Government could be 800,000 patients.
Mr Donnelly said the new system is meant to increase visits, but by how much is a matter of debate.
The most recent study showed the changes will likely translate into between three and five extra visits per GP, per week, he said.
Mr Donnelly acknowledged said that while many practices are thriving, others are under intense pressure, particularly in some rural and urban areas.
He said expanding free GP care was a big ask of general practice and that his department is in intensive engagement with the IMO on the issue and the new supports that must accompany them.
The minister said he would like to have seen the free GP care expansion happen this month but that it had to be done right and it should happen very shortly.
On the new consultants' contract, Mr Donnelly said the negotiations are done and the new deal is a good one.
Dr Crowley said the Government assumption was that only 70-75% of people who would become eligible would apply.
He said there was no capacity in general practice given there are 2,600 GPs proving care in the general medical service currently.
Along with extending free GP care for those aged six and seven, the Government plans to extend free GP care to all those with a mean household income of less than €46,000.
The IMO said it appeared that the Government was determined to press ahead with extending free GP care this year regardless of the consequences.
The conference passed a motion that extending the service would have negative consequences for patients and the family doctor service.
