Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering charging a nominal fee of €5 per visit for free general practitioner care for those under 12 years of age. [45535/17]

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 in 2015 represents a major step forward in improving access, quality and affordability of health care in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the phased introduction of free GP care for all under-18s, subject to negotiations with GPs and noting the need for additional GPs to support the additional workload.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Report of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare which was published on 30 May 2017 recommended the phased introduction of universal GP care over the next five years.

Legislative changes will be required for any extension of GP care without fees to further cohorts of the population and the timetable will be subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters currently being discussed. The Government’s wish is that progress on the extension of free GP care to children under 12 can be made in 2018. However, the timetable will be subject to the outcome of discussions with GP representatives on this and other contractual matters currently being discussed. No decisions have yet been made in relation to the precise terms and conditions connected to the extension of GP access to children under 12.