Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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252. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with medical organisations regarding free general practitioner care for children under six years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6156/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service 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 under 6 years of age with access to a GP service without fees. When implemented, 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 measure will require primary legislation which is being drafted.

On Friday last (31st January), I met with key stakeholders - the Irish College of General Practitioners, the Irish Medical Organisation and the National Association of General Practitioners - to brief them on Government policy concerning the introduction of a universal GP service without fees at the point of use, and in particular on the first phase concerning children under six years of age. The meetings included a presentation on the content and scope of the draft contract which has been developed by the Department and the HSE to underpin the provision of GP care for children under six years.

The medical organisations were advised that advertisements would be published in the national newspapers on 1st February 2014, seeking the views of the general public and interested parties and, in this regard, the draft contract is available for review on the HSE website with the closing date for receipt of written submissions being 21st February 2014. The three organisations undertook to consider the draft contract and revert to me.