Free GP-care cards for under-5s face delay

The plan to provide GP-care cards to all children aged five and under regardless of their parents’ income was confirmed but it will not take effect until the middle of next year at the earliest because of the need for new legislation and contract negotiations with GPs.

Minister for Primary Care Alex White rejected suggestions, however, that opposition from family doctors could hold up the scheme, despite criticisms from the Irish Medical Organisation — one of the unions representing GPs.

“We respect and need the support and participation of doctors in a project like this and we will be talking to them but policy is made by the Government,” Mr White said.

“I would be confident of good relations with the doctors. This is part of a project to change the health services.”

The plan was well-flagged in advance of the budget although there was clarity yesterday that it will apply to children aged five as well as those under five.

It will benefit around 240,000 children, covering the cost of all GP visits but not the cost of prescription drugs, and will cost €37 million per year.

The cost of the scheme, and the fact that children of the richest in society will qualify at a time when some of the poorest are being hit by other cuts, has attracted criticism.

But Health Minister James Reilly defended the initiative as the first step on the road to free GP care for all.

He said many low-income parents struggled to come up with GP fees for the children.

“The consequence of that is that children become quite ill and end up in hospital,” he said, stressing this was a more expensive care option for the State to provide.

Barnardos welcomed the move. CEO Fergus Finlay said: “It takes huge pressure off parents who have been having to make the difficult choice between bringing a sick child to the doctor or paying the heating bill or having enough money to feed their family for the week.”