Bernard Allen
Question:237 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make available a specific budget to provide a health centre at Riverstown, Glanmire, County Cork. [5331/02]
Written Answers. - Health Centres.
Bernard Allen
Question:238 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make available a specific budget to provide a health centre at Blarney, County Cork. [5332/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together. The prioritisation, planning and development of health centres under the national development plan within its functional area, in line with funding available under the NDP, is the responsibility of each health board or the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the case of the provision of health centres in Riverstown, Glanmire and Blarney, County Cork, this responsibility rests with the Southern Health Board. In the case of Riverstown, the Southern Health Board has advised me that the purchase of a site from the Diocese of Cork is at an advanced stage of negotiation. The design brief for this project has been completed and is being examined by my Department. The board has indicated that it realistically expects to be on site with this project in 2003. In the case of Blarney, the board has advised me that Cork County Council is assisting it in identifying a suitable site for a health centre and that a draft design brief has been prepared.