Donnelly defends 'poorly planned' expansion to GP care

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly taking part in the departmental Budget 2023 press conference at Government Buildings, Dublin earlier today. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has defended his budget plan to expand free GP care to an additional half a million people despite doctors warning that the move is poorly-planned and one they will be unable to deliver.

Tuesday’s budget provides for the expansion of free access to doctors to six- and seven-year-olds. It also provides for an additional 430,000 adults to get GP visit cards.