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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Mar 1977

Vol. 298 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Dispensary.

19.

andMr. Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Falcarragh dispensary patients from Curransport, County Donegal, are obliged to provide a weekly minibus service at their own expense to travel to the dispensary; and if he will ensure that free travel is made available to these people or that a dispensary is provided at or near Curransport.

The provision of general practitioner services in the Falcarragh area is a matter for the North Western Health Board. Free travel facilities are not provided for any patients under the general medical service. The health board have no proposals for the provision of general practitioner facilities at Curransport.

Is the Minister aware of the distance these people are removed from the nearest available dispensary?

Yes, I went to pains to discover that. I think it is about 7½ miles.

It is 7½ to 11½ miles. That is the distance that would be encompassed in the area in which there are people who are not very well placed to travel at their own expense to a dispensary. Would the Minister take up with the health board the question of providing a dispensary in or around the Curransport area in view of the fact that the board are not proposing to provide free transport for a dispensary service and will he take up the question in these circumstances of the very long distance these people are removed from the nearest dispensary and the provision of dispensary premises in the area where the doctor can visit so that people will not have to travel long distances?

The doctor who lives in the Falcarragh area is prepared to give further facilities. As a matter of fact—possibly the Deputy knows this —he has told a local group he would be prepared to hold weekly surgeries on a trial basis at a place called Meenlara. Of course, that will be provided he gets adequate accommodation for the holding of a surgery. That is being inquired into. I will take up the matter with the health board. I do not know if it would help if he decided to hold dispensary sessions in Meenlara.

It would be a good deal nearer and certainly in the right direction. Since this is under consideration—I am fully aware of the approach of the doctor in this case— might I ask the Minister if he will pursue further with the board the whole idea of trying to get somewhere in or around that area——

I would not like to mislead the Deputy. Travel facilities would not be on because that pattern could be repeated all over the country. I admit 7½ miles is a long distance but the distance is as long in Wexford or Galway.

I am not worried about which way it is done. Preferably a new dispensary premises in the area would be the answer.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

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