More than 1,000 family doctors have signed up to free GP care for children under six years of age, according to Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.
The HSE had extended the original deadline for doctors to agree to the new contract to tomorrow, although signed contracts after then will still be accepted.
Mr Varadkar and Minister Kathleen Lynch have written to all GPs to clarify matters, given divisions among the profession on the issue, particularly between the Irish Medical Organisation and the National Association of GPs.
The three page letter, published on the Department of Health website, says there is now 'a critical mass of GPs signed up' and registration of children by their parents will begin shortly and the new service will begin in July.
The letter says that registration will be a simple on-line process 'easier than booking an airline ticket'.
It says contracts that come in late could cause confusion for patients who go to the website and do not find their doctor's name.
The aim is to allow parents select a preferred GP in their neighborhood.
Fianna Fáil's health spokesperson, Billy Kelleher, said the lack of GPs signing up to deliver the scheme showed the Government's implementation of the policy had failed.
He said the fact that less than 40% of GPs had signed up only a matter of weeks before parents are supposed to be availing of the service showed how flawed the approach had been.
