Ned O'Keeffe
Question:127 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the allocation of funding for a project (details supplied) in County Cork. [31746/04]
View answerWednesday, 1 December 2004
Questions (103)
Written answers
Since the first out of hours co-operative began in 2000, in excess of €72 million has been provided to health boards by my Department to allow their development. The Southern Health Board has received over €10 million for this area between 2001 and 2004. These funds do not include fees paid to participating general practitioners for attending patient calls.
Out of hours services in the Southern Health Board area began on 16 October 2001 and are now operating in Cork city and part of Cork county, south Kerry to Tralee and west Cork, except for the Beara Peninsula.
Decisions in respect of the geographical area to be covered, in any expansion, are matters which fall within the remit of the relevant health board to decide, having regard to the strategic, financial and other issues involved.
The Southern Health Board has advised my Department of its future plans to develop out of hours services in the remaining areas within the board. Such developments will be considered in the context of service requirements, health board proposals and funding availability.