James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the implementation of the programme for Government commitment to extend the general practitioner out of hours service nationwide to ensure that patients can be seen within one hour of their call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30012/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Out of hours co-operatives are now in place in all Health Service Executive (HSE) areas, providing coverage in all or in part of all counties. The total number of contacts with out of hours GP services in 2008 was over 920,000. Expenditure on the scheme amounted to a total of €102 million in 2008. The HSE is continuing with the development of out of hours GP services to ensure that the commitment in the Programme for Government that patients be seen within one hour is met to the greatest extent possible.