It is reported that the free GP scheme for children is being extended to include those up to the age of 11 in this afternoonÂ’'s Budget.

GP visits are already free for all children aged under the age of six, after a change came into place during the summer.

The expectation now is that the scheme will be expanded.

However, Director General of the HSE Tony O'Â’Brien refused to comment on the matter ahead of this afternoonÂ’'s budget announcement: