Under new proposals, all children aged 6 and 7 and households who earn up to a certain amount, will qualify for free GP visits.

Longford GP Paul Trueick has warned that population growth means there are simply not enough doctors to go around.

It comes as the country deals with a shortage in penicillin-based antibiotics due to issues with production, raw materials shortage and increased demand.

Doctors are leaving Ireland due to a change in contract, leaving posts unfilled.

The Taoiseach says the system is already way beyond what was thought possible earlier this year.

Chloe left the healthcare profession in part due to the extreme stress of the job.

The Hospital has been dealing with significantly high trolley numbers as well as a series of Covid outbreaks on site