Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to plans to provide a facility (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13102/08]

Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the extension of Skerries Health Centre; the background to the project; the status of the project and the expected completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13107/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 197 together.

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. 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 Deputies. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have replies issued directly to the Deputies.