Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will include children in the first phase of the introduction of free general practitioner care to all as well as to those with chronic illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10105/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. The first phase of this process is the extension of access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses. It is not intended to include all children in this phase. This legislation is currently being drafted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Department and it will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.