Free GP care extended to children aged six and seven

PARENTS and guardians can now register children aged six and seven for free GP visit cards.

The under six GP visit card scheme has been expanded, with all children aged under eight in Ireland now receiving free GP care.

On Thursday, the Minister for Health encouraged parents and guardians to register children aged six and seven for a free GP visit card on the HSE’s website. 

Children already registered, and who turned six after July 1, will have their cards automatically extended by the HSE.

According to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD: “This expansion of the GP Visit Card scheme marks a significant milestone as we provide families with access to free GP care for children up to seven years old, extending care for an extra two years of a child’s life.

“I am committed to ensuring that cost will not be a barrier for children’s healthcare.

“Ensuring that children in Ireland can visit their GP for free gives them access to healthcare at the right time to help ensure their long-term health and wellbeing.”

He added: “We are committed to making healthcare affordable for families.

“We have abolished inpatient charges, first for children and then for all – saving families up to €800 per year.

“We have brought the maximum amount payable by households under the Drug Payment Scheme down to €80 per month.”

The Minister also said that Government has continued to ‘build on collaboration’ with General Practice and secured an agreement with the Irish Medical Organsiation (IMO) which supports GPs to recruit and retain more staff to better meet demand.

This expansion of free GP care to children is the first stage of the expansion in eligibility for GP care without charges under the GP Agreement 2023.

According to a statement by the Department of Health, it will be followed by the expansion of free GP care to people earning up to the median income in September and November this year.

In total, around 500,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible under this expansion, 78,000 children aged 6 and 7 and 430,000 individuals earning up to the median income.

“As this is the largest expansion in eligibility for GP care without charges ever undertaken, it is necessary to phase its introduction to avoid logjams in the application process”, The Department said.

“Applications under the median-income expansion will commence in two phases, on 11 September.”

The Under 8 GP visit card covers free GP visits, assessments at age two and five, GP home visits, out-of-hours urgent GP care and care for children with asthma.

To register of for more information visit the HSE’s website HERE.