Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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175. To ask the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres currently operational throughout the country; the extent to which the general hospitals in the respective catchment areas alleviated the problem of overcrowding at accident and emergency in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3018/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There are currently 85 Primary Care Centres in operation throughout the country.

I assume the Deputy is referring to the extent to which these centres helped to alleviate overcrowding in accident and emergency departments in their catchment areas in recent weeks. As this information relates to service issues and is not routinely provided to my Department, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy on these matters. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.