Lynch predicts 90% of GPs to sign up to free care scheme

The Primary Care Minister said she is confident over 90% of GPs will sign up to give free care to children under the age of six, after the number of registrations "skyrocketed".

The Minister also said the number of parents registering their children for the scheme is "phenomenal", with her staff reporting registrations at a rate of 10 every minute.

Kathleen Lynch said she accepts that not every doctor will sign up, and that some areas will have less coverage than others. However, she said a mass boycott by GPs is not likely.

"The numbers have skyrocketed … Cork had a very low take-up [before], it's now up to 70%.

"Not every GP in the country - I've always maintained that - will sign up … they don't see it as part of their core service. But the majority of GPs, I'd say up to 90%, will."