Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Board Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

62 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new health centre at the Ballymun Civic Centre, Dublin, has been lying idle since January 2003 due to the fact that the Northern Area Health Board does not have the funding to fit it out; if it is intended to provide the funding to bring the centre into operation in view of the large population in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11991/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of health centres to meet the needs of local communities and the maintenance and upgrading of such centres within its functional area is a matter for the relevant health board or the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the case of Ballymun health centre, this responsibility rests with the ERHA. The tendering process for the fit-out of the health centre element of the building has now been completed. Discussions are ongoing between my Department and the ERHA concerning the capital funding requirement for this project, in the context of funding resources available under the national development plan.

Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 58.