The government is to provide free GP care to the under 5's as part of a package of measures targeting families with young children.
The measure will be unveiled in the budget tomorrow.
Cabinet ministers met last night to sign off on the final budget which will include cuts and tax increases totaling 2 and a half billion euro.
The government has agreed to give the parents of nearly a quarter of a million children a new universal GP only medical card.
The initiave will cost them 40 million euro.
It will be balanced by toughening up on the income thresholds on medical cards for the over 70's which will result in some card holders loosing out.
Pensioners will also be affected by a cut in the telephone allowance.
A new reduced dole pavement for those aged under 27 is on the cards
The government also agreed last night not to cut child benefit and to protect the pupil teacher ratio.
The budget will be outlined by the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure in the Dail tomorrow afternoon
