The Free GP care scheme for children under six comes into force today.
79,000 children have been registered for the new service and over 84 per cent of GPs have signed up to provide the service.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar says the scheme marks "the first tangible step towards universal health care."
But the National Association of GPs have campaigned against the deal - claiming the funding should be targetted at children on the basis of medical need.
Association CEO Chris Goodey says most family doctors have serious concerns about the delivery of the scheme:
