9,000 children in Waterford to benefit from free GP care – Coffey

Fine Gael TD for Waterford, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed the introduction in Budget 2014 of free GP care for all children in the State aged five years and under. Deputy Coffey said this measure will have an enormous impact on health services, will help all families with young children to deal with the cost of child rearing and will bring us one step closer to the Government’s stated aim of free GP care for all.

“The CSO estimates that there are 9,000 children aged five and under in Waterford which means the impact the introduction of free GP care for under sixes, as announced in Budget 2014, will have a positive impact on families.

“The Government is committed to rolling out free GP care for all on a phased basis. By focusing on the development of our primary care sector and ensuring that people are treated at the lowest level of complexity, we can alleviate the pressure on our acute services and get to the root of the problems in the health service.

“This measure will assist parents in dealing with the cost of rearing young children. Monthly budgets are tight for most people and the addition of unexpected visits to the doctor for our little ones only adds additional pressure. Some children are lucky and rarely need to visit their GP but all too often when children get to crèche going age, they pick up numerous bugs and viruses from the other children, which are usually easily treated but which need medical attention. At €50 a visit for most GPs, this additional expense can put a family’s budget out of kilter, putting a strain on the family purse.

“By ensuring that children go to the doctor early, rather than to the hospital late, everyone benefits; the child, the parents, the health system and the Exchequer. I welcome the fact that despite the economic situation we find ourselves in, and with a budget adjustment of €2.5 billion being made, that the Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly TD, was able to get the ball rolling on the administration of free GP care.

“In addition to this measure, a number of other family friendly measures have been incorporated into Budget 2014. Among them are the maintenance of child benefit and class sizes have been maintained, a commitment to recruit 1,400 new teachers next year and the protection of the special education budget.

“It is important that middle income earners, and young families, who have contributed substantially to our fiscal consolidation, are given a break. I believe that this Budget is a family friendly and child centred one, which will benefit 9,000 children under age six in Waterford, and beyond.”

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