Laois families urged to register children under 8 for free GP visit cards

Families in Laois are being urged to register for free GP care for children aged six and seven. 

From today (Friday, August 11) the under six GP Visit Card scheme has been expanded to provide free GP care to all children under the age of eight in Ireland. 

The move, announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly,  represents the first stage in the biggest expansion in eligibility for free GP care in the history of the State.

From today, parents can register children aged six and seven for a GP visit card at hse.ie. For many children there will be no need to register as children who turned six after July 1,  2023 will have their cards extended automatically by the HSE.

Laois Offaly Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the move and said further measures, which will follow in September and November of this year, will see the expansion of free GP care to people earning up to the median income, she said. 

“I’m proud to be part of a Government that will oversee the largest expansion in eligibility for GP care without charges ever undertaken. I will continue to work for the people of Laois, Offaly and the wider Midlands, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to accessing healthcare, for the ultimate benefit of long term health and wellbeing,” said Minister Hackett. . 

Minister of State Sean Fleming urged families to register for free GP visit cards. 

“This is the first stage in the biggest expansion in eligibility for free GP care. The expansion of the scheme is supported by the landmark agreement between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Irish Medical Organisation signed last month which put in place a series of financial supports for GPs.” 

“I’m delighted the Government has expanded free GP care to under 8s. Fianna Fáil is committed to making healthcare more affordable for families. This is one of a number of measures that our party has introduced in Government to make sure that that cost is not a barrier to children accessing healthcare. This move will be of huge benefit to children and their families in Laois,” he said. 

Laois Offaly TD Barry Cowen also  urged families to register for free GP visit cards for children aged six and seven.  

He said more than 78,000 children are set to benefit from the change.  The move represents the first stage in the biggest expansion in eligibility for free GP care covering up to half a million people.  

“The expansion of the scheme is supported by the landmark agreement between the Department of Health, the HSE, and the Irish Medical Organisation signed last month which put in place a series of financial supports for GPs,” explained Deputy Cowen.  

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“I’m delighted that my party colleague Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has expanded free GP care to under 8s. Families can now register their children aged six and seven for their free GP visit card.