Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I am happy to do that. As the Deputy noted, the programme for Government commits to introducing free GP care during the lifetime of this Government. The first phase will be introduced shortly, bringing all existing claimants of free drugs under the long-term illness scheme to free GP care under that initiative. That requires primary legislation although the Bill is short and straightforward. Work on it is well under way at this point and we hope to bring a memo to Government within the next few weeks, with the legislation to follow. I will seek to have that legislation taken as quickly as possible through both Houses. There is a backlog of Bills stacked up, including a number of health Bills, but I will seek to get this legislation through as soon as possible. I hope that first cohort of people will be brought into the free GP care initiative in the early summer.

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