Local doctors are the second slowest in the country at signing up for the under-sixes free GP visits scheme.
New figures from the HSE have shown that just 22% of GPs in Louth have signed up for the scheme, which begins in July.
Only south Tipperary at 8% had a lower sign-up rate.
Just 15 contracts have been signed so far by doctors in Louth, well below the national sign-up rate of 53%, with 1,279 of the 2,414 GPs with existing medical card patients having already agreed to the contract to provide free visits to all those under the age of six.
GPs who have not signed up can continue to charge a child’s parents a private fee.
