Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This year, free GP care for the under-sixes and over-70s was put in place, one of the most innovative things to happen in the health service in recent years. This represented the first step in the phased introduction of a universal GP service and is already benefitting 300,000 senior citizens and children.

Linked to this was the introduction of cycles of care for those with type-2 diabetes and asthma. Next year, subject to successful negotiation with doctors' representatives, it is planned to extend GP care without fees to all children under 12.

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