Stephen Donnelly
Question:390. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the cost in 2020 of expanding free general practitioner care to children aged six to eight years; and the full-year cost of same. [41900/19]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2019
390. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the cost in 2020 of expanding free general practitioner care to children aged six to eight years; and the full-year cost of same. [41900/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering free access to GP care for children aged up to 12 years old on a phased basis. Following the earlier introduction of free GP care for children aged under 6, Budget 2020 will allow for the beginning of the phased introduction of free GP care for children aged from 6 to 12, with the introduction of free GP care for children aged 6 and 7 from autumn 2020.
Introduction of this measure will be the subject of negotiation with the IMO, representing general practitioners, and the exact cost will depend on the outcome of those negotiations.