Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 187: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will approve the implementation of the extension of Westdoc to provide out of hours cover to 41 or more general practitioners in Mayo and Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3438/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the development and expansion of out-of-hours general practitioner co-operatives.

Between 2000 and 2004, a total of €72.882 million was allocated to the health boards for out-of-hours co-operatives. Of this sum, €7.57 million was allocated to the western area of the Health Service Executive for its out-of-hours co-operative, Westdoc. For 2005, of the €31.98 million which has been allocated nationally for out-of-hours co-operatives, €3.55 million has been allocated to the executive's western area. This figure includes an additional amount of €800,000, specifically for expansion in 2005.

The geographical areas to be covered by co-operatives and any expansion are decisions for the relevant area of the Health Service Executive to make, having regard to the strategic, financial and other issues involved. The dedicated funding for GP out-of-hours co-operatives is exclusive of the fees paid to participating practitioners for attending patients.