Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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725. To ask the Minister for Health when the free general practitioner visit card for children up to and including five years of age will be implemented; when parents will receive the card for their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3878/14]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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738. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements his Department will be making to provide for the establishment of free general practitioner care for children under six years of age as announced in budget 2014; and if he will indicate the timeframe for same. [3933/14]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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741. To ask the Minister for Health when the free general practitioner care system for children aged five and under will come into effect. [3980/14]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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743. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of free general practitioner care for children aged five and under; when same will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3988/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 725, 738, 741 and 743 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.