Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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707. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to allocate a free general practitioner card automatically to carers in 2018; the process and criteria involved; the timeframe for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54524/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that in December 2017, I announced the Government's intention to provide all carers who are in receipt of a Carer's Allowance access to GP care without charge. Primary legislation will be required to give effect to this measure and my Department has begun work in that regard. Subject to the agreement of Government to the specific legislative proposals drawn up, it is my objective to have this legislation prepared and brought to the Oireachtas as soon as it is possible.