Parents have begun registering their children for free GP care for under-sixes today - with over 10,000 signed up already.

Some 60% of the country's doctors have signed up to the scheme. However the Health Minister Leo Varadkar has indicated he expects three quarters of practices will have signed up for the scheme by the end of the week.

He has ruled out a meeting with the National Association of General Practitioners, and says those who oppose risk being left behind:

From July 1, almost 300,000 children will be eligible to visit their doctor free of charge.

A full list of the GPs who have signed up for the scheme is available on the HSE website. Parents can also register their children online.

The website experienced difficulties this morning due to huge volumes of traffic this morning, but is now working again.

Figures show that there have been varying levels of GPs signing up across the country - ranging from more than 90% in Donegal to less than 10% in South Tipperary.

Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State at the Department of Health, says there are concerns about some areas of rural Ireland but believes most doctors will sign up.

She told Newstalk Breakfast the process for parents is simple.

Dr Sinead Beirne is a GP based in Irishtown, and says ethically many doctors feel the free care for under-sixes scheme is 'not right' - but it makes 'economic sense' for many practices.

Speaking to Pat Kenny this morning, Dr Beirne said a doctor she works with has the attitude that "general practice has been so starved of resources, that it is extra income coming into the practice. Although he doesn't feel its fair, it's better than nothing".

She also explained the objections to the scheme, saying "it's not fair to pick one group of people when another group that are actually medically more unwell don't get access to it":