Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter and I am happy to have the opportunity to respond.

I am aware that primary care is the first port of call for the majority of those who use health services. It is right to acknowledge the key role a health centre has in delivering a wide range of community health and personal social services. It is important that such facilities are customer-friendly in terms of being modern, well equipped and accessible.

My Department is committed to the development of primary care services. Since the primary care strategy, Primary Care – A New Direction, was launched the Department has been involved in putting in place a number of essential building blocks to support the process of implementation. A small primary care task force has been established, drawn from the Department and the health boards. In line with the role set out for this group in the strategy, it has responsibility for driving the implementation of the changes and developments set out in the model.