Reilly commits to extend free care

A long overdue promise to extend free GP care to 60,000 people with long-term illnesses will be fulfilled by the end of the year, according to Health Minister James Reilly.

The delay in extending the free service to those with conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy will substantially reduce the amount of money required to fund the scheme this year.

Dr Reilly dismissed the suggestion that the delays amounted to an accounting exercise at a time when the HSE is facing an end-of-year deficit of up to €500m. The scheme was due to be introduced last March.