Varadkar: History will remember doctors who agree care deal

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has told the Irish Medical Organisation AGM that history will remember the doctors who sign up for the free GP care scheme for under-6s.

In his address to delegates, he admitted it will not be easy to convince all doctors to sign up for the scheme.

Minister Varadkar has also spoken about the €1bn in funding cuts to the health service compared to peak levels.

"That, of course, is reflected in many things, like excessive waiting times, things like emergency department overcrowding," he said.

"Needless to say, that makes it very difficult and a real challenge to deliver the kind of health service that we all aspire to.

"That's true from the front line to the back office … but it is a challenge that I welcome and I'm determined to meet it head on."