With regard to the provision of new health centres generally, the position is that the identification, prioritisation and provision of such facilities to meet the needs of local communities within its functional area is a matter for the relevant health board or the Eastern Regional Health Authority, or ERHA. In the case of Mulhuddart, that responsibility rests with the ERHA.
The ERHA has indicated that the development of a new health centre would constitute a regional priority in the context of the community health service requirements in the Mulhuddart area. That capital proposal will be considered by my Department and the ERHA in the context of capital priorities under the capital investment framework for 2004 to 2008.