Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the way in which and when he intends to implement the Programme for Government commitment to create a primary care fund. [15123/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2013 sets out the funding allocations for this year by care group programme. It includes provision of €2,562 million in respect of the Primary Care Reimbursement Service and €400 million for Primary Care services. This is an increase of 1.7% and 7.6% respectively on the 2012 figures.

During 2013, the Department of Health will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to develop Programme Based Budgeting in 2013 within the confines of the existing financial systems. This will take place in advance of the Vote of the HSE being disestablished, with funding for the services being provided through the Vote of the Office of the Minister for Health with effect from January 2014.

Successful transformation of our health services requires a corresponding transformation of our funding model. The first stage in transforming our funding model is to clarify funding streams through the creation of directorates and corresponding programme based budgets. As part of this process, a Primary Care Directorate is being established within the HSE. This directorate will oversee the development and strengthening of primary care. An announcement is expected very shortly on the appointment of the National Director of Primary Care, who will head up the Primary Care Directorate.