Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary care facilities in County Kildare; her plans to roll out further facilities in a growing area like Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33487/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Primary Care Strategy aims to increase health service capacity through the development of services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. It has been estimated that up to 95% of people's health and social services needs can be properly met within a primary care setting and the establishment of new Primary Care Teams can contribute greatly to enhancing community based health services.

The provision of the appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of primary care services is being considered by the HSE, having regard to a number of factors. These include the type and configuration of the services involved, the mixed public/private nature of our health system, the suitability of existing infrastructure and the capital requirements of the health services generally over the coming years. As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been waiting since June 2006 to have a cataract removed from their left eye from which they have no sight at the present time; and if it cannot be done by their consultant will they be referred to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to have this urgent operation carried out. [33488/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.