Vol. 542 No. 5
319 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate facilities at the Ardara Health Centre, County Donegal; if there are any plans to develop, renovate and extend this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25173/01]
The provision of health centres to meet the needs of local communities within its functional area is a matter for each health board, including the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the case of the Ardara, County Donegal, this responsibility rests with the North Western Health Board.
As with each of the other boards, the North-Western Health Board has been notified of the annual indicative funding available under the national development plan – NDP – for the period 2001 to 2006 to facilitate the financing of capital projects, including health centres. The identification and prioritisation of projects which may proceed within the indicative funding is a matter for the board.
The board has advised me that it acknowledges the shortcomings of the present health centre located at Ardara and that, as an interim measure, minor refurbishment works have been undertaken. The board has also advised me that the development of a new primary care centre for Ardara is on its current list of priority projects under the NDP. The North Western Health Board has also indicated that the project in Ardara is being progressed in partnership with the local community and Donegal County Council and that significant progress has been made in advancing the planning stage of the project in recent weeks.
