Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I can confirm that the scheme is broadening by about 430,000 men, women and children in the coming months, so that everyone in the country earning up to the median income will have access to State-funded GP care. We worked very hard to try to get the six- and seven-year olds over the line last year. Agreement was not possible but I can assure the Deputy that was not for the want of trying. We are engaging with the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, on both cohorts now, namely, the 430,000 people earning up to the median income, which, as the Deputy is aware, is scheduled to commence in April and, at the same time, we are looking to secure agreement for six- and seven-year olds, which would be about 70,000 children. We are working with the IMO now as well to put a framework in place for eight-, nine-, ten-, 11- and 12-year olds whereby they could be brought in quicker. It has taken longer than anybody wants and we are not there yet on the six- and seven-year olds.

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