Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Health when he envisages the opening of the new primary care centre that will cover Palmerstown, Dublin 20; the stage at which the plans for a primary care centre for Clondalkin are at; the stage at which the plans for a primary care centre for the Lucan area are at; if his national primary care plan meet the targets set out in the Programme for Government; if he envisages that the primary care programme will be affected by the lack of financial resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16280/12]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Health when he envisages the opening of the new Primary Care Centre that will cover Palmerstown, Dublin 20; at what stage are the plans for a primary care centre fro Clondalkin, Dublin,; at what stage the plans for a primary care centre for the Lucan area, Dublin; if his National Primary Care Plan will meet the targets set out in the Programme for Government; if he envisages that the Primary Care Programme will be affected by the lack of financial resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16208/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 583 together. The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this reform programme the Government is committed to introducing Universal GP Care within the first term of office of this Government. I have established the Universal Primary Care Project Team, which has been tasked with working through the issues relating to the introduction of this commitment. The Project Team is meeting on a regular basis.

Initially it is intended to extend GP cover without fees to persons with defined long-term illnesses who are in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. Once primary legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, the details of the new arrangements will be announced. €15m has been made available to meet the costs involved in 2012.

As other aspects of the Deputies questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the HSE, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address these matters and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.