Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. Primary legislation is required to change those income limits upwards for people over 70 and also to provide for the expansion of free general practitioner care to children up to the age of 12. That legislation has been approved by Cabinet. It is intended to take it through the Dáil and Seanad before the recess, to get it done this month. That will allow the Minister for Health to bring those changes related to people over 70 into effect later in the year. It is more complicated for children and will take a bit longer, requiring discussion with general practitioners.

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