Children aged six and seven will be able to gain access to free GP visits from today.
Parents can register their children for a GP visit card on the HSE website, as the under-6s scheme has been expanded to under-8s.
Current GP visit cards will automatically be extended until a child's 8th birthday.
Children under the age of six have been eligible for the scheme since 2015.
The move is the first stage in the biggest expansion in eligibility for free GP care in the history of the State, covering up to 500,000 people.
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.
'Significant milestone'
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said the change will ensure cost is not a barrier to accessing healthcare.
"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," he said.
"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.
The Government has said today's change will provide free GP care to around 78,000 children aged six and seven who currently access it privately.
