Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for Health if the new primary care headquarters under construction in area 5 covering Lucan, Clondalkin, Rathcoole, Saggart, Palmerstown and Newcastle, Dublin, is on target to be opened; if there is adequate staff to meet the primary care programme such as public health nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, community based social workers, care of the elderly social workers, care assistants, dieticians and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8286/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The HSE has developed a new Primary Care and Mental Health Centre in Ballyfermot which will provide a focal point for the provision of primary, community and continuing care services in the immediate area. This facility is on schedule to open during the first quarter of 2012.

The HSE Integrated Service Area (ISA) Dublin South Central (formerly Community Care Areas 3 and 5) has, in line with the Primary Care Strategy, reconfigured existing clinical staff to Primary Care Teams in the area. This process, coupled with additional clinical posts approved during 2009 and 2010, has allowed the Primary Care Teams to continue to develop. ISA Dublin South Central has formulated a contingency plan in an effort to address issues of service delivery arising due to staff departures before 29 February next.

Funding of €20m has been provided in the HSE's National Service Plan 2012 to fill as many of such vacancies as possible. This fund will be increased to €25m if it can be established that there is scope for further savings of €5m in demand led schemes. The allocation of these posts will be subject to approval by the Project Team overseeing the implementation of Universal Primary Care.