38 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in setting up the national primary care task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5790/02]

56 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children when the national primary care task force promised in the health strategy will hold its first meeting. [5846/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 56 together.

Arrangements are being made at present to finalise the remit and composition of the proposed primary care task force and staffing arrangements are under consideration. As a result, it should be possible to proceed with it in the near future and I expect that the short delay will be made up as the programme for the task force for 2002 gets under way.