Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Health Centres.

Dick Roche

Question:

339 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that people in Greystones, County Wicklow, have been waiting for over a decade for the building of phase II of the health centre to get under way and that the present centre is inadequate for the needs of the area it is intended to serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25256/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 both Bray and Greystones, County Wicklow, this responsibility rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

As with each of the other boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority 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 authority. In the circumstances I have asked the chief executive officer of the authority to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Dick Roche

Question:

340 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the conditions at the public health clinic at Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow; the plans he has to replace the present centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25257/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 Newtownmountkennedy health centre, County Wicklow, this responsibility rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

As with each of the other boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority 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 authority.

The authority has advised me that it was required to vacate the old health centre in October 1998 when a demolition order was served on it and that rooms were leased from the local community centre in order to maintain services in the village. The authority accepts that while this arrangement provides a short-term solution it is not ideal. The authority has further advised me that because of the inadequacy of the rented premises, proposals to site a temporary premises inside the gates of Newcastle Hospital are being advanced. In the meantime services will continue to be provided from the community centre.

Dick Roche

Question:

341 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the major problems caused due to the lack of a proper health centre at Bray, County Wicklow which is the largest town in the country without a proper health centre; the plans which exist to replace the current facilities with a custom built health centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25258/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 both Bray and Greystones, County Wicklow, this responsibility rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

As with each of the other boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority 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 authority. In the circumstances I have asked the chief executive officer of the authority to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.