The Dail has passed the Health (General Practitioner Service) Bill 2014, which makes provision for the introduction of free GP care for all children under six - however, the new scheme will not be introduced until at least the autumn.

The Bill provides the legislative basis for the the provision of free care to under sixes, which, according to the Government, will eventually roll out to free GP care for the whole population.

Primary Care Minister Alex White said the passing of this legislation is a landmark in advancing 'an historic public health initiative to deliver GP services to the population free at the point of access'.

However, talks have still to take place with the GPs' union, the IMO, on payments for doctors under the scheme, which, even if agreement is reached, is unlikely to proceed until the latter part of this year.

A framework deal was recently agreed between the IMO and the Government to allow talks to take place without breaching competition law.

The under sixes scheme was originally earmarked by the Government for introduction this month.

Following approval by the Dáil, the Bill will now proceed to the Seanad. Minister White said he was confident that the legislation would be enacted before the summer recess, with implementation of the service in the autumn.

Additional funding of €37 million has been provided to fund the under sixes scheme this year, but the Department of Health denied that the measure was being being funded on foot of savings 'implemented elsewhere in the health system'.

If it is introduced, the scheme measure will provide a free GP service to around 240,000 children whose families currently must pay for them to see a GP.