Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked about the protocol and about 24-hour cover, which came up in almost all the submissions, and all day last week. Dr. Dodd said there is a percentage coverage of 73% or 75%, but that does not seem to reach people. The GPs this morning put forward a very good solution to build the 24-hour cover around the GP co-ops, for example, South Doc in Cork. Will the HSE and the Minister of State consider that? We are trying to come up with answers. The GPs' seven point plan was well worth considering. They also spoke about the deprivation weighting, but one would not need to be a psychiatrist to work out that in poorer communities there are higher levels of mental ill health. Will Dr. Dodd consider the proposals for that? I do not think he answered the question about the 24-hour cover, which is an important issue that has come up in the course of this consultation with families, young people and their mothers.