Sir, – The many GPs who have written in to the letters page (in response to Brian Devitt’s letter of April 2nd on their pay) are, to my mind, extremely coy about what they do actually earn. They tell us about their overheads and how hard they work, but that’s all. Why is their remuneration such a secret? Aren’t they virtually public sector workers in that a large proportion of their earnings comes from the public purse? I suggest that the GPs’ own representative organisation tell us straight out what is the average GP’s take home pay and we can judge the fairness or otherwise for ourselves? If it really is as bad as implied, they will earn the sympathy they deserve.
As it is, the rush of Leaving Cert students to enter medical degree courses, all of which are heavily subsidised by me, the taxpayer,would suggest that the returns must be worthwhile.
And could I just mention that everyone in business has to pay rent/mortgage, heat, lighting, general and water rates, staff costs etc, not just GPs? Yours, etc,
ELLEN MacCAFFERTY,
Lansdowne Crescent,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4