Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State would be very much aware of the pressures on families and how important free GP visits have been for families to date. I am disappointed that no date has been given for this expansion. It is very welcome that it is acknowledged that it needs to happen urgently. I know negotiations can be sensitive and I am also aware of the pressures faced by our GPs over the past 12 months but these children are patients of those practices and will be accessing the service in any event. All we are doing is providing relief for families. It is not as if families will suddenly start flooding into GP practices if they get the card. They are deciding between putting food on the table or bringing a sick child to the GP. When they do not access primary care, they end up in accident and emergency, which costs the State even more, so we really need to prioritise this measure.I will be back in contact with the Minister about it. I want to get a date for this. The families are waiting for this and need it urgently. I have been in contact with many families about the matter. They have been asking about it specifically. They are very conscious of this. There are children who timed out when they turned six and are now in a lacuna. Those children are eight years old now and have been without free GP visits. This matter is very important, and I will be back in contact in respect of it. This is a very practical measure that can relieve the rising costs for families.

I thank the Minister of State for attending. I hope she will have a word with the Minister about this matter.