Ms Ann Graham:

In regard to the HSE services, in particular, many of the rural transport services already serve health centres and day-care centres. Our committee has been examining where we can deliver more rural transport services and achieve more integration of health service provision with rural transport provision. Considerable work has already been done, particularly in the north west. We want to determine how we can replicate the model across the country.

We propose a number of model areas into which we want to move immediately. We want to work with the rural transport service providers and the HSE at local level to identify where further integration can be achieved. We want to proceed in this regard as soon as possible to deliver better and more integrated services in rural areas.