Michael Ring
Question:343 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if an immediate assessment can be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and the help available for this person. [22293/02]
Written Answers. - Health Board Services.
The provision of assessment services in this case is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. Accordingly, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
Michael Noonan
Question:344 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children if funds will be provided to the Mid-Western Health Board to extend the out of hours family doctor service to Limerick city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22294/02]
A total of €17.2 million was made available in 2002 for the development of the out of hours co-operatives, of which €1.978 million was made available to the Mid-Western Health Board. This facilitated the commencement of the first cell of the co-operative in Clare in June 2002 and the second cell in Tipperary North Riding in October 2002. All decisions on the geographical areas to be covered by the co-operative and the order of commencement are matters for the Mid-Western Health Board to make, having due regard to the range of financial and other issues involved. The extension of the co-operative to Limerick city and county will fall to be considered by the health board in the light of its financial allocation for 2003.