Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have only been in this position for the last two weeks. I think this is now my third week. I got notice that I had been asked to deal with this matter late yesterday evening. I have no difficulty coming into this House and dealing with any Topical Issue matter in relation to health. I know now that I might end up regretting saying this, but it is my responsibility to come in here to address a Topical Issue query raised by a Member. I will do everything possible to make myself available to deal with these questions.

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to update the House on the delivery of a primary care centre in Clifden and the upgrade of other HSE-owned health centres in west Connemara. An objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated healthcare, with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a home first approach. Primary care centres play an essential role in the delivery of that objective and significant progress has been made in the delivery of such centres nationally. These centres support the delivery of integrated care by facilitating closer co-ordination and co-operation between health professionals across different disciplines. Primary care centres also provide a single point of access to health services and can serve as a resource for the community. There are currently 174 primary care centres operational with a further seven currently under construction. In addition, 44 primary care centres are at earlier stages of development, four are currently at the advanced planning stage, 34 at the early planning stage and six HSE-owned centres are being progressed through capital plan funding.

The delivery of a primary care centre in Inishbofin remains a priority for the HSE. This project has been delayed due to legal processes associated with the transfer of land from Galway County Council to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the subsequent transfer of a portion of that land from that Department to the HSE. The HSE has advised that the legal agents for Galway County Council are progressing with this matter as swiftly as possible. Until the legal processes associated with the transfer of lands to the Department of Rural and Community Development concludes, it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for the transfer of the site to the HSE or the development of Inishbofin primary care centre.

Health centres in the Galway region, including Renvyle, were upgraded and refurbished over the past three years and this work continues. The primary care centre in Moycullen opened in April 2023. Proposed centres for Oughterard and Spiddal are at expression of interest stage. Other locations in the Galway west network may be identified in the future. The Deputy may be aware the decision to grant planning permission for the new ambulance base in Recess was issued by Galway County Council on 28 March. The new base will have space for two ambulances. A proposed primary care centre in Clifden is under review. However, the HSE is exploring the possibility of repurposing and upgrading existing HSE facilities in Clifden to expand the current range of services delivered by the Clifden primary care team.

The development of new or refurbished healthcare facilities anywhere in the country cannot be seen in isolation or separately from the delivery of related health care services. Projects are approved by the hospital group and then approved by the relevant HSE directorate before being submitted by to the HSE national capital and property steering committee. Once approved by that committee, the project is eligible for prioritisation and inclusion into the capital plan, subject to the level of funding.

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