David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number, with regard to community based primary care services, of multidisciplinary teams established on a pilot basis in 2001; the locations of same; if this model of service delivery has been proven to be effective; if it has since been expanded; the targets set in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11197/08]

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 mutli-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.

In October 2002 my Department approved the establishment of ten primary care implementation projects — one in each of the former health board areas, with funding to enable existing staff resources within the public system to be augmented. These initial 10 fully-fledged Primary Care Teams were established from 2003 onwards and enabled the primary care model to be demonstrated in action. The teams were located at Arklow, Ballymun, Cashel, Erris, the Liberties, Lifford, Portarlington, Virginia, West Kerry and West Limerick. The Health Service Executive has indicated that a review of the ten implementation primary care projects was undertaken in the second quarter of 2006 and that significant points of learning have been taken from these teams and used to inform the process of primary care team development generally. The HSE received additional funding of €40m over the period 2006 to 2008 for the establishment of some 200 primary care teams involving 600 front line professionals.

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. I have emphasised to the Health Service Executive the importance which I attach to the continued development and roll-out of primary care teams and my Department will monitor progress in this regard throughout the year.