Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 872: To ask the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres that have been developed in which primary care teams are based on a county basis; the number of primary care teams that have been established that are not operational through a dedicated primary care centre; the number of primary care centres and primary care teams that are currently being developed; the numbers of centres and teams that are expected to be in operation by end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23046/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The development of Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and Primary Care Centres (PCCs) is a priority under the Programme for Government. The aim is to provide up to 95% of health and social care in local communities. This will be achieved by increasing activity in the primary care setting and redirecting services away from acute hospitals to the community.

The HSE has identified a need for 518 Primary Care Teams and 384 of them have commenced operation with varying degrees of activity. 40 of these Teams are located in newly acquired Primary Care Centres and 344 Teams are based in existing HSE accommodation. The remaining 134 Teams are at varying stages of development.

It is the HSE's plan that the majority of PCCs will be provided by the private sector through leasing agreements. In this context, the HSE has developed a generic design model for PCCs with accommodation for up to three Teams per centre. 17 PCCs have opened to date under leasing arrangements and a further 21 are due to open by the end of March 2012.

Primary Care Centres in disadvantaged urban and rural areas will continue to be funded from the Exchequer. 15 of these are currently accommodating PCTs.

There are currently 4 Exchequer funded centres in development and it is expected that these will become operational by the end of 2012. These are located in Inchicore, Ballyfermot and Rathfarnham in Dublin and Glenties in Co. Donegal.

The following two tables show the number of PCCs that have been developed in which primary care teams are based on a county basis.

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