Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of the 300 primary care teams promised in the primary care strategy that have been delivered; if she still intends to promote the primary care strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40367/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The key objective of the Primary Care Strategy is to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, home helps and others. Membership of primary care teams and networks are drawn from existing professional and other staff working in primary, continuing and community care services, as well as from newly recruited frontline professionals. Specific additional funding was provided in 2006/2008 to facilitate the roll-out of extra primary care teams. There have been substantial enhancements in the services provided in primary and community care settings along with corresponding increases in the numbers of staff concerned.

At this stage, the main focus is on the reorganisation of existing services and staff into primary care teams and networks. This requires changes in work practices and reporting relationships, with an emphasis on joint working by various health professionals. It also requires significant work in mapping and profiling of areas.

Work under many of these headings is well advanced and I am pleased with the level of interest in, and engagement with, primary care teams among general practitioners. I have emphasised to the HSE the importance I attach to the continued development and roll-out of primary care teams.

Under the Health Act 2004, the management and delivery of health and personal social services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. This includes operational responsibility for the establishment of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the part of the Question relating to the current number of teams investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.