The Government has confirmed plans to extend the free GP care scheme to all children aged 6-12.
Currently, the free GP visits are available for children aged five and under.
However, the Taoiseach and Health Minister now plan to extend that to all children under 12.
They're planning to roll out the changes on a phased basis from next year.
It comes as part of an agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) for a series of contractual reforms.
The agreement includes a 40% increase in funding for general practice over the next four years.
The agreement includes increased support for rural practices and for those in disadvantaged urban areas.
In return, doctors will help with reforms such as more cost-effective prescribing of medicines and use of new technology.
According to the Government, GPs will also 'formally cooperate' with HSE networks of health professionals in the community for the first time.
Welcoming the agreement as a "landmark for the health service", Health Minister Simon Harris said:
"I appreciate that GPs have been under pressure in recent years to maintain services in the face of increasing demand and stretched resources.
"The funding stream that will flow in return for the changes we are announcing today will put general practice on a much more sustainable footing and help to make it an attractive and exciting career choice for doctors.”
"Pre-election stunt"
However, one doctor has suggested the announcement of the extension of free GP care is a "pre-election stunt."
Monaghan GP Dr Illona Duffy has concerns that the resources required to extend the programme to more than 200,000 children aren't in place.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, she said: "None of us want to see any patient not able to go see a GP because they feel they can't afford to.
"But even in the last year we've seen the government make a unilateral decision to hand out medical cards to all carers [and] to all of those and their families affected by the cervical screening crisis.
"That can't continue if we don't have doctors on the ground."
