Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications to the Health Service Executive to provide medical centres in the County Kildare area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7458/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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. I understand that in December 2007 the HSE sought expressions of interest from the private sector for the provision of the Primary Care Team infrastructure, with the HSE proposing to enter into fixed term leases with such providers.

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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.