Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 26 September 2023, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inishbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy question relates specifically to islands, this time Inishbofin, and the rigmarole that has taken place for almost 20 years as the islanders wait for a health centre. I ask for an update on the transfer of land so that we can give them a definite answer on when an essential piece of infrastructure for this island will be provided.
I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this issue.
As the Deputy is aware, the land on which the Inishbofin is located is currently owned by Galway County Council. These lands were acquired by way of a compulsory order by Galway County Council on behalf of the Department. Part of the site is intended for eventual use by the HSE for a primary care centre.
The transfer of these lands to my Department has been an ongoing process for a number of years. I understand there were outstanding legal and mapping issues but these have now been resolved.
Galway County Council advised my Department last September that the disposal of these lands to my Department had been approved at the council's plenary meeting. They further advised that the council's in-house solicitors would move forward with the transfer of title.
My Department has contacted the Chief State Solicitor's office about the progress on this transfer and it has advised that the maps have been agreed and it is now waiting on the necessary contracts from Galway County Council. My Department will continue to pursue this matter with Galway County Council in order to get the project progressed and finalised as soon as possible. However, as I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, any transfer of land such as this is a complex matter and can be a lengthy process.
In the meantime, part of the is being used by the Coast Guard as a helipad in the event of medical emergency evacuations. To further assist with such emergency evacuations, it is planned to install permanent lighting for the helipad later this year.
Does the Minister have any date for completion of the project? Will the Department have any role in the primary care centre or is that strictly the Health Service Executive? Will there be matching funding?
Let me try to give a tiny bit of background. This has been going on for 20 years. According to the 2022 census, Inishbofin had 188 inhabitants, which, luckily, was an increase. A functioning health centre is a basic need. The current facility is not fit for purpose.
We had a national primary care island services review in April 2017. It was that long ago. It recommended a new primary care centre for both Inishbofin and Inishmore. A commitment had been secured for that.
A plan for the completion of these facilities was signed in 2018 and costing was completed. Here we are now, in 2024, waiting for the tiny strip of land so that it will be completed and allow for the building of a health centre, the most essential piece of basic infrastructure. Twenty years on, could I have a date for the completion of the transfer of the land?
As I said, the matter is with Galway County Council at present. My Department was in touch with it in November and again in January to get its solicitor to complete the legal aspects.
The Deputy is correct. I was reading the file and the project goes back a good while, to say the least. The Inishbofin airstrip was completed in late 2010 but, in July 2013, the then Minister of State decided not to proceed with the development of terminal buildings and other works required by the Irish Aviation Authority for use of the airstrip as a public airport. If we then fast-forward to 2017, a public consultation took place about the future of the and it was decided that a primary healthcare centre could be located on part of the site. In 2018, consultants prepared a feasibility study to establish whether constructing a health centre on part of the site would interfere with the possible use of the site as an airstrip. That matter was sorted out. The situation now is that Galway County Council is trying to get the necessary contracts prepared.
I would appreciate it if the Minister could give me an approximate date for the transfer of the land. The national primary care island services review, in itself, was a work of art, first, in getting it done and then in trying to get the report. A number of TDs asked for that.
We are talking about a basic health centre, a primary care strategy and a policy for the islands. That is why I went back to the original question. I refer to the implementation of the policy for the islands on every level, including housing, co-ops and primary care.
I would appreciate it if the Minister could give a date.
I do not have the date here but we are keeping the pressure on Galway County Council. The maps have been agreed, so if there is anything the Deputy can do to ensure the council gets the necessary contracts in to us, we will be happy to get them signed and moved on. I know how important it is that there should be a primary care centre there. I will take the matter up with the Minister for Health and the HSE to see how they are proceeding because we want to see this happen but we cannot do anything until we get the transfer of land. That is the first step in this process. We will keep after it.
