Vol. 455 No. 3
71 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the amount of money which has been handed over by the Eastern Health Board to each of the six general practice pilot projects in its area to be funded by the indicative drug budgeting initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12145/95]
72 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the estimated completion date for the three new general practitioners centres to be established in Tallaght and Clondalkin under the pilot project initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12146/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
The Eastern Health Board has indicated that it is funding the undermentioned projects as follows: Bray, £50,000; Dún Laoghaire, £60,000.
While approval in principle has been given to grants totalling £740,000 in respect of the following projects, a final decision will only be made on conclusion of satisfactory arrangements for the provision of an enhanced range of services which will be aimed towards identifiable improvements in total patient care and the quality of general practice: West Tallaght (2), £290,000; South Inner City, £150,000; North Clondalkin, £200,000; Athy, £50,000; Arklow, £50,000.
The major projects in west Tallaght and north Clondalkin involve the construction of purpose built premises on green field sites. Agreement has been reached on the accommodation to be provided within each of the premises and on overall costs. Acquisition of the three sites is being finalised. It is not possible at this stage to estimate a time-scale for completion of these projects.
73 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the pilot general practice projects to be funded by health boards through the indicative drug prescribing savings generated in 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12147/95]
Limerick East): I presume the Deputy is referring to practices which are being developed on a pilot basis in a number of health boards. It is envisaged that these practices will provide an enhanced service for patients at primary care level.
The position in each of the relevant health boards is as follows:
Eastern Health Board:
This board is developing a total of eight such practices. Two of the practices will be in the west Tallaght area. Other practices will be located in north Clondalkin, the south inner city, Bray, Dún Laoghaire, Athy and Arklow.
North-Eastern Health Board:
This board has plans for the development of a practice in Monaghan town.
North-Western Health Board:
This board is developing two pilot practices, one in Drumshanbo and one in Milford.
Southern Health Board:
This board has plans to develop three such pilots. One will be based in the Mayfield area of Cork city, another is being planned for the north-western side of the city and one in Clonakilty.
These projects are being funded from a combination of the General Practice Development Fund and the Indicative Drug Target savings generated in 1993 and 1994.
