Fine Gael launches child health policy while accusing Fianna Fáil of 'abandoning Slaintecare'

Free GP care for the under 18s and free dental care up to the age of 16 are among the carrots being offered to the electorate by Fine Gael, it was revealed as part of a major child health policy launch this afternoon.

The provision of free care for all children will be achieved over the lifetime of the next Government should Fine Gael be returned to power, health minister Simon Harris said, with children under the age of eight set to be covered from the beginning of the next school year.