Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Reid and his staff. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General is nearly identical to his reports of 2001 and 2010. We all know that the ambition of primary care is to keep as many people as possible out of hospital and in their homes. We all know it seeks to ensure that people are cared for and treated as near as possible to their own homes without blocking up the system, taking up hospital beds, etc. particularly in view of the current trolley situation.

Governments down through the years have placed great emphasis on primary care and such care has been mentioned in all of the manifestos and by the HSE. However, it seems that great progress has not been made and it seems to be at a standstill. Almost 20 years have elapsed yet only one third of the target set in 2001 has been achieved. Why has it taken so long to roll out primary care? After 20 years more than one third of the target should have been achieved.