Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of clinical staff who have been recruited during 2006 and 2007 to develop the primary care teams for County Clare; when she envisages the service having the full complement of clinical staff as presented in the programme of transformation towards primary care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3915/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Primary Care Strategy aims to develop services in the community to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary 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 HSE received additional funding of €32m in 2006 and 2007 for the establishment of some 200 primary care teams involving 600 front line professionals (300 per year). A further €8m is being provided in 2008 to cover the full year costs of the 2007 phase.

The Government has committed under the Towards 2016 agreement to the establishment of 300 Primary Care Teams by 2008; 400 by 2009 and 500 by 2011. A review of these targets is due to be undertaken in 2008.

As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.