A new survey indicates the vast majority of doctors will refuse to sign up for free GP care scheme for children under six.
A survey of almost one thousand GPs conducted for the National Association of General Practitioners, reported that 93% do not plan to sign a contract for the service.
The association said that the scheme will increase inequality in the health system - and funding should go to those with greatest medical need.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar has expressed confidence that most GPs will sign up for the scheme.
However, the Association has accused the Minister of being out of touch on the issue.
Chris Goodey, CEO of the NAGP, said: “The figures clearly show that the Government is out of touch with the situation on the ground.
“The Minister has suggested that further investment in general practice is dependent on GPs accepting the under-6s proposal.
“We could blithely accept this scheme out of self-interest but to do so would further disadvantage our most vulnerable patients.
“It is morally and ethically wrong to use taxpayers’ money to fund free care for a medically well 5-year-old child of someone earning €200,000 per year when an 8-year-old with cancer whose parents are on minimum wage has to fight tooth and nail for a medical card.
"Any plans for universal healthcare must begin with those who are most in need.”
The NAGP is once again calling on the Minister for Health to postpone the under-6s scheme and to, instead, engage in meaningful discussions with GPs so that the available funding can be invested more appropriately.
“The priority should be investment in initiatives such as chronic disease management programmes which are focused on individuals who have a genuine medical need and will have a positive impact on the health system as a whole,” the NAGP CEO said.