Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Health to ensure that there is one fully operational primary care team for every 1,500 children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42679/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Primary Care Strategy 2001 outlined that Primary Care Teams (PCTs) would be established, with each covering a population of between 3,000 and 7,000 people. Initially, the HSE established 530 PCTs nationally based on an extensive mapping exercise involving a whole population approach. Since then, various exercises were carried out in relation to re-mapping, efficiency evaluation, resource reallocation and engagement with stakeholders, resulting in the number of PCTs being reduced to 485. Almost 600 additional staff were recruited and assigned to the PCTs. There are currently over 3,000 staff members reconfigured across the 485 PCTs.

A range of services for children are delivered by the PCT members in a coordinated way and in keeping with relevant policies and government priorities.

As set out in the Primary Care Strategy, PCTs have been designed and planned on a whole population basis. There are no plans to organise PCTs on the basis of age categories.