Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 April 2004
95 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the plan he has for a replacement dentist to be appointed to treat children of the Stillorgan area in view of the fact that the dentist covering the schools (details supplied) in the area is concluding their employment. [12352/04]
View answerThe recruitment of dental staff in the Stillorgan area is the statutory responsibility of the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has asked the regional chief executive to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to her directly.
96 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if an application for funding to extend the health centre at Kinnegad, County Westmeath, has been received by his Department; the date of this application; if funding is available for these works; and if he will give priority in view of the rapid population increase in this town. [12353/04]
View answerThe identification, prioritisation and provision of new health centres to meet the needs of local communities is a matter for the relevant health board or the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the case of Kinnegad, County Westmeath, this responsibility rests with the Midland Health Board, MHB. The MHB has indicated that the development of a new medical health centre would constitute a capital priority, in the context of the current inadequate local infrastructure and major growth in population in the Kinnegad area. This capital proposal will be considered by my Department and the MHB in the context of capital priorities under the capital investment framework 2004-2008.
