Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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499. To ask the Minister for Health the number of primary care teams which are recommended and are currently in place; the recommended and actual level of staffing by community health care organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6750/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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.

In relation to the actual staffing level by Community Healthcare Organisation, as this is a service matter this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. 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.