Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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359. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of extending free GP care to all children under 12 years in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36827/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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GP visit card eligibility was expanded in 2023 to all children under 8 years of age and to all those earning up to the median household income. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to 'expand free GP services to children up to at least 12 years, and keep its further extension under review'.

As set out in the Programme for Government, it is our intention within the life-time of this Government to expand GP care without charges to all children up to the age of at least 12 years. This will be done in a planned way, in cooperation with GPs to ensure that there is adequate capacity in place, and through the further expansion of GP visit card eligibility.

Extending GP visit card eligibility to all children aged 8 to 12 years inclusive in 2026 would grant eligibility to approximately 200,000 additional children (based on current card holder numbers and 2026 CSO population projections). Based on average GMS GP costs per card holder for 2024, the additional cost of extending GP care without charges at current capitation rates to all children aged 8 to 12 years in 2026 is estimated at approximately €30 million per annum. This is based on full GP visit card uptake.