John Curran
Ceist:30. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the lack of provision of primary care centres in Clondalkin and Lucan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30293/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 18 October 2016
Ceisteanna (30)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift towards primary care to provide better care close to home for communities around the country. Primary Care Centres are an integral part of this because of the range of multi-disciplinary services they can provide and the role they can play in keeping people who don't need to be in an acute setting out of hospital.
All potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered or provided or available, subject to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering healthcare services with HSE staff. The operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing and these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive.
I can advise the Deputy that in Clondalkin, Primary Care Services are provided from three Health Centres - Boot Road, Rowlagh and Deansrath. In Lucan, Primary Care Services are provided from two Health Centres - Lucan Village and Rosse Court.
The planning permission for the proposed Primary Care Centre in Lucan, which was to be delivered by the operational lease mechanism, was rejected on appeal by An Bord Pleanála. As a result, the HSE has withdrawn the agreement for lease and is currently investigating alternative options for the provision of a Centre in the area.
The HSE’s Boot Road Health Centre site in Clondalkin was identified for redevelopment as a Primary Care Centre. However, following planning process delays and the preparation of detail design and tender documents, the developer, who also owns an adjoining site, was unable to source the required finance to develop the entire site, as intended. A number of interested parties have contacted the HSE in relation to the development of a Centre for Clondalkin and I am confident that agreement to provide a new Primary Care Centre in the area will be achieved.
The HSE will ensure that the services currently being delivered from the Boot Road Health Centre will continue to be delivered in the area until a new Primary Care Centre is developed.
The planned Primary Care Centre for Rowlagh and North Clondalkin, which is to be provided by direct build, is subject to planning permission being granted for the development.