Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 184: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to planning difficulties experienced by applicants who wish to set up multi-disciplinary health practices in residential areas; if she has communicated with planning authorities to improve the roll-out of improved primary care facilities; and if steps are being taken to ensure that such facilities operate at unsocial hours to take pressure off accident and emergency departments. [10365/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have not been informed of particular difficulties in this matter and I have not had contact with the planning authorities on the provision of primary care facilities. Health services must be available at times which enable the needs of their users to be met and this is true of services within the community as well as those provided within institutional settings. I am also anxious to ensure that in the context of supporting adequate health service provision, particularly in areas of new housing development or where suitable facilities are limited or non-existent, provision is made for the development of appropriate primary care facilities. The Deputy is aware that planning legislation and regulations are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance.