Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the 90 primary care networks; the moneys spent on these to date in each year since they were established; planned developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9514/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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154. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the nine community health care organisations; the moneys spent on these to date in each year since they were established; planned developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9515/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.

In October 2014, the HSE launched the Community Healthcare Organisations Report. The Report sets out plans for a comprehensive reorganisation of health services outside the acute hospital system. The primary focus is to provide the maximum proportion of care to people in the communities where they live and to achieve joined-up, integrated services.

The 17 Integrated Service Areas are being replaced by nine Community Healthcare Organisations. Existing resources will be reorganised into 90 Primary Care Networks, each serving about 50,000 of the population.

Each network will be headed by an identified, accountable person responsible for care delivery by professionals such as nurses, therapists and social workers so as to meet a wide range of people’s needs in a joined-up way. The new structures will have a strong focus on building good linkages with the acute hospital system so that people’s care pathways are appropriately planned and their needs met in the right setting.

The implementation of the recommendations of the CHO Report, including the establishment of the CHOs and their management structures, has been listed as a key priority of the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2015.

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy about the current status of the introduction of the nine Community Healthcare Organisations and the 90 Primary Care Networks and the money spent on these in 2014 and to-date in 2015. 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.