58D.—(1) The Health Service Executive shall make available without charge a general practitioner medical and surgical service for a person who is in receipt of—

(a) carer’s benefit within the meaning of Chapter 14 of Part 2 of the Act of 2005,

(b) carer’s allowance within the meaning of Chapter 8 of Part 3 of the Act of 2005, or

(c) a payment under section 186A of the Act of 2005.

(2) 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 person 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.

(5) In this section “Act of 2005” means the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.]