Only half of doctors around the country have signed up for the free GP care for under 6's scheme.

The HSE has released figures on the number of doctors who have signed contracts for the programme - the highest uptake is in Donegal, Roscommon and Longford/Westmeath; whilst the lowest uptake is in South Tipperary, Cork South, Louth and Kildare/West Wicklow.

Many GPs have expressed concern about their ability to take part in the scheme - saying they don't have the resources to deal with the anticipated increase in workload.

Here's how that looks on the map: