Paul Kehoe
Ceist:370 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children when CALL DOC will be introduced to Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21637/02]
Written Answers. - General Practitioner Co-operatives.
A sum of €17.2 million was made available for the development of general practitioner out of hours co-operatives throughout the country in 2002. Of this amount €2.22 million was allocated to the South-Eastern Health Board, the relevant board in this case. This dedicated funding is exclusive of the fees paid to participating general practitioners.
All decisions in relation to the geographical areas to be covered by co-operatives and the order of their commencement are matters for the relevant health board to make, having due regard to the range of financial and other issues involved. My Department will pursue the continuing expansion of co-operatives in 2003 in the context of the Estimates process.