Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is at the heart of the strategy that the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, is implementing. It is to see more procedures carried out at primary level and reduce the pressure on hospitals. He has endorsed that through the rolling out of a series of primary care centres. These are being built all over the country and they represent a means by which to provide resources in a way that takes the pressure off hospitals. Notwithstanding this , I acknowledge that the caseload in accident and emergency units has risen by close to 20%. As a result and notwithstanding the provision of the new centres, the level of demand relating to accident and emergency services has increased. There are challenges in meeting the requirements.

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