The timing is not right for the extension of free GP care according to a local medical professional.
Doctors are warning the extension of free GP care to children aged six and seven could mean longer waiting times for medical appointments.
Parents can register online for a GP Visit Card in this age group from today, as part of the continued rollout of free GP services for children.
It follows an agreement between the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation last month.
Castlerea GP Greg Kelly warns that doctors are already struggling to meet the current demand for their services:
"I don't think anybody would have any issue with it being extended to this cohort, but it comes with a certain provisor that manpower and day general practice would be improved because the situation at the moment is that there's a great shortage of GPs in the country, so much so that there many GPs appoint a locum on their holidays. The situation is getting pretty serious."
