asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the inadequate medical services available in new housing areas in Dublin such as Coolock and Ballymun; and what steps will be taken as a matter of urgency to ensure that new residents in such areas will have the full medical services to which they are entitled made available to them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Medical Services.
39.
I presume that the Deputy's question relates only to medical services provided under the Health Acts. Dublin Health Authority, who are primarily responsible for the provision of health services in Dublin, state that generally the services in the new housing areas are adequate but that some persons from these areas are inconvenienced by having to travel further than normal to health centres. In order to remedy this situation the authority propose to provide new health centres shortly at Coolock, Ballymun and Walkinstown and to replace the existing unsatisfactory premises at Palmerstown.
I am also informed that the health authority keep the position in the new housing areas under review to ensure that the health services are satisfactory. Examples of the steps taken to this end are—the appointment of additional district medical officers and public health nurses, where necessary, and arranging special sessions at child welfare clinics for children from these areas.
Would the Minister ensure that specific improvements are carried out forthwith, particularly in Coolock and Ballymun, before the onset of the usual winter deluges which will aggravate an already serious situation in those areas?
Mr. Flanagan
The proposals are received for Ballymun and it is proposed to approve them.