Written answers

Wednesday, 10 October 2007

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received a copy of the recently published research study titled Taking the First Steps to a Healthier Fettercairn; if this community in Tallaght west needs its own general practitioners' services; if she will have the recommendations considered by the Health Service Executive and her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22975/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I am conscious of the complex range of social and environmental circumstances which affect Fettercairn and a number of other disadvantaged urban areas around the country. The health services have a key role to play working with communities and a range of other statutory and non-statutory interests in ensuring a co-ordinated and integrated response in such areas.

I am also aware of the research study titled 'Taking the First Steps to a Healthier Fettercairn' which was launched recently. In this regard, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has indicated to my Department that it proposes to meet with the Fettercairn Community Health Project in order to discuss and progress activation of the report's recommendations on health services.

The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that there is a primary care team serving every community, with particular reference to new and rapidly growing areas. Five hundred new primary care teams will be funded by 2011. Primary Care services are provided by a wide range of community based, directly employed health care professionals, and private contractors, such as GPs; Community Pharmacists; Dentists; Community Ophthalmic clinicians and Chiropodists/Podiatrists and their practice staff. Funding totalling €32m has been provided in 2006 and 2007 for the establishment of 200 Primary Care Teams involving 600 new frontline professionals (300 per year).

Under the Health Act 2004, the management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. This includes operational responsibility for the selection and recruitment of general practitioners to provide services under the General Medical Services Scheme and also the selection of locations for Primary Care Teams. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

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