asked the Minister for Health when a health centre will be built on the site on Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8, which has been available for this purpose for some time; and if at any time in the past money which was set aside for the building of this centre was directed elsewhere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inchicore (Dublin) Health Centre.
15.
The provision of a new health centre at Inchicore is regarded by the Eastern Health Board as necessary. It has not been possible so far to include it in their capital programme, hence there is no question of allocated funds being directed elsewhere.
The board are concerned at the inadequacy of the existing arrangements and are anxious to provide better facilities in this area. While I cannot say when this can be done I understand the health board are hopeful that they may be able to resolve the problem soon.
What does the Minister mean by "soon"? Will it be included in next year's Estimates?
The board have informed me that a solution may be found earlier in an arrangement other than a new building and they are examining a particular approach. The health board are negotiating for the purchase of a building and, as the Deputy may be aware, other local interests are also interested in the building. I am not anxious to discuss the matter in much detail.
Is the Minister aware that the building for which the health board are negotiating is not really suitable because the only entrance is at the top of a narrow cul-de-sac and the traffic that would be generated by a health centre would be totally unacceptable to the people in the area? They want a new health centre on the site. Was there at any time money set aside for the building of the new health centre and was it diverted elsewhere?
Although other areas had a higher priority for the provision of health centres, it would not be true to say that funds for the Inchicore centre were redirected. No funds were specifically allocated for the centre, so there was no question of redirecting them.