asked the Minister for Health the reason the pilot family planning clinic which was to have operated through the health clinic in Finglas has not yet opened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Finglas (Dublin) Family Planning Clinic.
2.
The Eastern Health Board agreed some time ago to facilitate a number of general practitioners in the Finglas area who are anxious to provide a family planning service from the base of the local health centre. Preliminary discussions were held with the individual doctors concerned in the area. The Irish Medical Organisation had also been engaged in a general review of the provision of family planning services by general practitioners. The Eastern Health Board agreed to defer action on the Finglas pilot scheme until the IMO had finalised their own review.
I understand that the Eastern Health Board are still awaiting further communication from the IMO. I am anxious to see appropriate family planning services provided in Finglas, and elsewhere, at the earliest possible date. However, I would point out that this is essentially a matter for the Eastern Health Board and other health boards, as appropriate.
The Minister will be aware that I asked this question in May 1984. At that time the Eastern Health Board were awaiting a response from the IMO. Would the Minister agree to contact the Eastern Health Board and urge them to have this service provided as a matter of urgency? The service has been promised for over two years now and it has not materialised.
I will certainly do that. Arising out of the recent Health (Family Planning) Act I am contacting the health boards in the immediate future and asking them to report to me on the general provision they have made in each health board area for family planning services. I will keep an eye on the situation in Finglas. The Eastern Health Board will be reporting to me in the early part of June.