Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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841. To ask the Minister for Health when the legislation will be passed which will allow families with children aged five years and under to apply for a GP medical card as announced in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1183/14]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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910. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the provision of free general practitioner care for children under five recently announced; the date on which it will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 841 and 910 together.

The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework.  As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees.  The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure.

The implementation of this new service requires primary legislation and work on preparing this is ongoing. Preparations are also proceeding in relation to the necessary administrative arrangements. Details of application procedures and the start date for the new service will be announced in due course.