Free GP care for under-6s ‘will cost double estimate’

The Government’s free GP care for the under-6s plan will cost double the amount originally planned with a supplementary budget likely to be needed to fund the initiative.

Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch admitted the situation yesterday, but claimed the extra €30m now required will not come from other health areas.

Speaking during a Dáil debate on the health service, Ms Lynch said the cost of the project is now expected to be €67m, not €37m.