Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1155. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding his Department’s work to extend free general practitioner care to wider cohorts of citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38087/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of GP care without fees to all people over 70 and all children under 6 years of age which commenced in 2015 represents a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to extending in phases, and subject to negotiation with GPs, free GP care to all children under 18 years of age.

Legislative changes will be required for any such extension of GP care without fees to further cohorts of the population and the timetable is subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters which are currently underway. As with any negotiation-type process, and given the range and complexity of the issues to be discussed, the engagement may take some time.