asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the growing population in the Darndale area, Dublin, he will consider approving the construction of a health centre for it.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Darndale (Dublin) Health Centre.
1.
asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a health centre at Darndale Estate, County Dublin, as a matter of urgency.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The provision of health centres in Dublin city is primarily a matter for the Eastern Health Board and I have not received any proposals from the board for the erection of a separate health centre for the Darndale area. A major health centre is at present under construction at Cromcastle Road, Coolock, and it is expected that the building will be completed this year. It is the intention that this centre will service the needs of Darndale.
How far away from Darndale will that centre be.
I am familiar with the territory. The Darndale Estate is adjacent to the Coolock estates, Bonnybrook and Kilmore, which will be served by this new health centre. At the moment residents of Darndale will probably have to make somewhat of a detour.
How far will they have to walk?
They will have to make a detour to get to the Cromcastle Road new health centre. If the direct access was opened up it would not be that far.
How far?
I cannot say.
That is a terrible reflection on the Minister's knowledge of his constituency.
I know the area intimately and, in fact, I was speaking to residents of Darndale on Tuesday about this matter. We discussed it in detail.
Does the Minister know how far it is from Darndale to Cromcastle Road?
I cannot tell the Deputy in a matter of yards but it is certainly within walking distance if direct access was there.
How many miles?
I would not say that it is a mile as the crow files from the centre of Darndale to where the new health centre will be.
I would say it is a little longer and I know the area.
At the moment residents of Darnale will probably have to take a longer way round than is necessary.
If the Minister is as familiar with the area as he professes——
The election results prove that.
——it is surprising that in his reply he indicated that the area is in Dublin city. In fact, it is in Dublin county. Is the Minister not aware that the area is not in his constituency and that it is a good two miles away from where he suggests the health centre will be? Is he not aware that there is no possibility in the immediate future of a direct access being opened between this estate and the health centre at Cromcastle Road? In the circumstances will he take steps to see that these unfortunate people who were assigned to the county by Dublin Corporation are given some of the services they are entitled to expect?
In that area I do not think they know who Deputy Boland is.
At least I got votes there. The Minister did not know that it was not in his constituency.
I am well aware of the fact that it is not in my constituency. It is in Deputy Joe Fox's constituency and he was with me last Tuesday looking after the needs of the people.