Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health if the changing geographical spread of the population made clear in Census 2011 is being taken into account in his calculations when seeking to ensure equal access to medical service provision across the country; if so, if he will detail such calculations; the practical decisions that have been made as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33027/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department utilises population Census data for a wide variety of purposes in the assessment and planning of health services. The Corporate Plans and Annual Service Plan prepared by the HSE include a range of population-based performance indicators across all areas of service provision. Many of these are designed to monitor issues of access, coverage and quality. The availability of detailed Census data and population projections is essential in enabling evidence-based service evaluation and planning.

Evidence-based planning and evaluation is also critical for the Government's major health reform programme, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, which will ensure equal access to care based on need, not income.

A fundamental element of the reform process involves significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients. This will provide for equal access for all to GP services. The phased implementation programme will be overseen by both the Minister of State for Primary Care and myself, as Minister for Health.

My Department has commissioned a study to develop a model of demand for and supply of GP and practice nurse care. This will facilitate workforce planning so that the supply of care by GPs and practice nurses should meet patients' needs for care as the implementation programme on universal primary care is rolled out. The study will address a number of elements including: an estimation of current utilisation rates of GP and practice nurse services, including a breakdown by geographical area to the degree that is supported by the available data; a projection of the effect on utilisation/demand for GP and practice nurse services of demographic change including population ageing and epidemiological trends; an assessment of any mismatch between demand and supply; and a sensitivity analysis assessing the effect on matching demand and supply of adopting alternative demographic and epidemiological assumptions.

In addition, the ongoing development of primary care teams takes account of population distribution and need by geographical area.

Significant reforms are also underway in the acute hospital sector which will positively impact on access to services. The Special Delivery Unit has been established and its priorities encompass reducing the waiting times for admission to Emergency Departments, reducing in-patient and out-patient waiting times and improved access to diagnostics. A joint HSE/Departmental group has also been established to develop a framework for the future development of smaller hospitals across the country. With regard to the funding of acute hospital care, the existing system of historical block grant allocations will be replaced by a more efficient and transparent prospective funding mechanism. This financial system will implicitly take account of population need as funding will follow individual patients ("Money Follows the Patient").

Once these key reforms have been put in place, the health sector will be ready for universal health insurance. The universal health insurance system will give patients a choice of insurer and will guarantee that every citizen has equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services, including both primary and hospital care.