Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Health the physiotherapy services in Connemara; when a physiotherapist will be appointed in the Connemara region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20830/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that challenges exist in the delivery of physiotherapy services in Connemara. However, I am assured by the HSE that efforts are being undertaken to minimise the impact on patients.

I understand that the physiotherapist post assigned to the South Connemara Primary Care Team has recently become vacant after being filled on a continuous but temporary basis since August 2018. The CHO is currently developing a staffing plan consistent with the funding levels available, and it is expected that the post will be addressed in this context.

The HSE has reconfigured services for the South Connemara area to address the challenges in this area, including centralising services to Galway city for those with an urgent clinical need.

I firmly believe that it is essential that we reposition our health services and focus on developing a strong and effective primary care system if we are to meet the challenges associated with an ageing population, the prevalence of chronic diseases and rising health care costs.

It is for this reason that the Government increased funding for primary care by more than €50m or 6.1% in 2019 compared to 2018. This investment will support the development of an accessible and comprehensive primary care system.