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 Newcastle West, County Limerick, this responsibility rests with the Mid-Western Health Board.
As with each of the other boards, the Mid-Western Health Board has been notified of the annual indicative funding available under the national development plan 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 are matters for the board.
The board has advised me that there are 22 staff employed in the Newcastle West health centre, that there are 13 rooms available to staff and that if an office is required for a private interview with a member of the public the meeting room in St. Ita's Hospital may be used by prior arrangement. No office accommodation in the health centre is designated for private interviews with members of the public.
The board has also advised me that it is currently looking at alternative accommodation options in the Newcastle West area which would free up existing office space in the health centre which could be used as an interview room. These options include renting private accommodation which, of course, will be subject to availability and resources.
