Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for attending today to respond to this matter. He will know from the matter submitted that it relates to the extension of the co-operative service to the east Clare area. I know that the Minister of State is familiar with the county, including the eastern part.

The co-operative service is a major component of the primary health care strategy produced by the Department of Health and Children. As it stands, the lower Lough Derg region in County Clare is the only area in the county to which the co-operative programme has not yet been rolled out. It is known in County Clare as Shannondoc and is working very successfully in the north and west of the county and in the Ennis region. Parts of east Clare are very rural and quite a distance from any towns or villages where people live. Obviously, the service would be of immense benefit. The area stretches from Whitegate through Mountshannon, Scariff, Killenena, Feakle, Flagmount and so on down to Ogonelloe and across to Killaloe. It also takes in an area in Bridgetown and around Broadford, heading towards the Limerick border. The central region referred to as part of the Mid-Western Health Board region also takes in a small part of County Limerick on the eastern side and also part of north Tipperary from Ballina out to Newport.

It is critical that we get this moving. I know that the doctors of the region have come together. They are prepared to work and have a plan in place. I understand all that is required is Department sanction. In many cases throughout the country there is difficulty in finding personnel and in getting doctors to agree on the strategy for the out-of-hours service. That is not an issue in this matter. My understanding is that the programme will be ready for launch in about four weeks if the Department can approve it, provide the money and look after the technical aspects.

I ask the Minister of State to give due consideration to the request. The service would be of immense benefit and ensure that the people who live in that diversely populated area have the comfort of knowing that medical personnel are on call. The region is also important in terms of tourism and while the population is quite spread out during the winter, there is a concentration of population, with all the difficulties that can entail, particularly associated with Lough Derg. It is important that the service be put in place as soon as possible.