Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020
265. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional funding provided to ensure universal primary care since the adoption of Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17859/20]
View answerThere has been no specific allocation of funding to ensure universal primary care since the publication of the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. However, funding for the provision of primary care services was increased in Budget 2020 in order to help deliver on the vision of Sláintecare.
The NSP 2020 allocated approximately €1.08bn for primary care services (including €160m for social inclusion), an increase of €37m on the 2019 closing budget. This allocation serves to meet a variety of costs associated with the delivery of primary care therapy services, dental services, orthodontic services, audiology services, ophthalmology, podiatry and so on. It also covers property management and lease costs associated with primary care facilities and a range of other services including paediatric homecare packages, immunisation services, GP training and GP Out of Hours Services. It does not however include expenditure associated with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service nor wider social care expenditure on services for older people, mental health or disabilities.
The primary care allocation for 2020 included €10m, building to an intended full-year investment of €60m in 2021, to provide for the enhancement of primary and community services as part of the implementation of Sláintecare. This funding will target the development of Community Healthcare Networks and the recruitment of up to 1,000 therapists, nurses and other professionals in the sector, thus further improving access to primary care services for those that need them.
