58B.—(1) The Health Service Executive shall make available without charge a general practitioner medical and surgical service for a person who is ordinarily resident in the State and has not attained the age of F112[eight years].

(2) The parent or guardian of a person shall, when requested to do so by the Health Service Executive, furnish to the Health Service Executive such information as the Health Service Executive considers necessary for it to establish that the person is, or continues to be, entitled under subsection (1) to the service referred to in that subsection.

(3) Where a parent or guardian fails or refuses to furnish the information requested by the Health Service Executive under subsection (2) within such reasonable period as is specified in the request, the Health Service Executive may treat the person concerned as if he or she was not entitled under subsection (1) to the service referred to in that subsection.

(4) Insofar as considered practicable by the Health Service Executive, a choice of medical practitioner shall be offered under the general practitioner medical and surgical service made available under this section.]