Vol. 543 No. 1
137 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress to develop out-of-hours general practitioner services at community centres or in hospitals, especially in the Dublin area; the funding available for such development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24838/01]
In the Dublin region limited out of hours services operate from the grounds of St. Vincent's and St. James's hospitals.
Funding for these developments is channelled through the Eastern Regional Health Authority and any proposals that the authority may have will be discussed between the authority and my Department in the context of the authority's 2002 determination and service plan.
Costs for developments of this nature vary significantly depending on the availability of suitable premises and the cost of any necessary refurbishment. These costs would be included in the initial start up costs in any proposals submitted to my Department for approval.
