Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

Physiotherapy services will form part of the services provided by many of the new primary care teams. The HSE received an additional €10 million in 2006 to enable the establishment of up to 100 primary care teams. A further €10 million will be provided in 2007 to meet the full year costs of these developments. The total funding provided by the Government to support the implementation of the strategy will be increased to €38 million. This is in addition to the very substantial resources already in the funding base for a wide range of primary care services.

The HSE is working to establish this complement of primary care teams in 2006 and it expects substantial progress to be achieved by the end of the year. This will ensure integrated, accessible services for the populations served by these teams. The funding is being targeted by the HSE to provide the potential for each local health office, formerly community care areas, to establish up to three primary care teams in accordance with the adopted national policy. It is estimated that approximately 77 of these front line staff posts will be physiotherapy posts.

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