Free GP care is set to be rolled out to children up to the age of 12, Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed yesterday.
The Bill will also see those aged over 70 have increased access to medical cards – a move which should benefit 56,000 elderly.
The free GP care will be introduced on a phased basis impacting six and seven-year-olds first and later pro-vided to all primary school children.
The weekly gross medical card income limit for single people over 70 will be set at €500 and will be €1,050 for couples.
Mr Harris said: “Providing a legislative framework to extend free GP care to all primary school children is a significant milestone.
“It is a key step towards ensuring cost is no longer a barrier to accessing the appropriate healthcare when and where children require it.
“The welcome increase in the medical card income limits is another important measure to support older persons. It is estimated up to an additional 56,000 older persons could benefit, providing them with access to services at a time when their health needs are more complex and thereby improving quality of life.”
Mr Harris added expanding
free GP care is an important measure towards the commitment to ensure access to GP care for all children.
