People on low incomes could incur extra health charges for at least two months before having access to new GP medical cards.
The Minister for Health, Ms Harney has told the Dail that new GP visit cards will not be sent out until the end of February or March.
However, Ms Harney rejected suggestions that increases in the threshold for the Drugs Refund Scheme and the increased charges for a visit to an Accident and Emergency Unit should be postponed from the planned introduction date of January 1st.
The Government's plans to issue the doctor-only cards to around 200,000 people.