Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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381. To ask the Minister for Health when a free general practitioner care initiative for children under six years of age will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10028/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees, as set out in the Programme for Government. The Government has commenced this process in respect of all children under 6 years. The Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014, which provides an entitlement for all children aged under 6 to a GP service without fees, was enacted on 25 July 2014. Under a Framework Agreement, the Department of Health, the HSE and the IMO are engaged intensively on the introduction of GP services without fees for children aged under 6. The aim is to have the under-6’s phase implemented by Quarter 2, 2015, subject to the conclusion of those discussions and the conclusion of the fee-setting process.