Almost one in five GPs across the country have not signed up to the free GP care for under-six schemes, according to new figures.

The number of doctors who have opted into the scheme fluctuates dramatically depending on the part of the country.

For example, just 55% of GPs in Dun Laoghaire in South County Dublin have signed up, according to the figures in today’s Irish Independent.

Doctor Stephen Murphy, who is based in the area, said: “What was done was out of sheer political necessity.

“We couldn’t see why children of wealthy parents were being given preference over our patients with serious medical needs.

“(The scheme) hasn’t improved the health of the children.”