Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. I appreciate that the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is here to reply.

For many decades there was a GP service in Ballinagh, County Cavan, where I understand from local residents a quality GP service was always delivered. In recent years the service was provided by Dr. Prior and his colleagues. The local community very much appreciated his work, as well as the dedication and commitment of the practice. Unfortunately, a number of weeks ago the GP service provided from the health centre ceased temporarily.

The absence of a GP service which was provided four days a week is a source of major concern. About two weeks ago the local community organised a public meeting. The main organiser was Mrs. Brigid Delaney, whom I compliment on organising the meeting which attracted a large attendance which included public representatives such as me. The meeting was well structured and gave members of the community an opportunity to outline their concerns about the delay in having a GP service restored to the health centre. A number of years ago Mr. Cian Murtagh established a successful pharmacy in the town. The local community appreciates the excellent service provided in what is a relatively small town but which, however, has a wide rural catchment area. We all realise a GP practice in close proximity to a pharmacy can play a vital role in ensuring the long-term viability of that pharmacy business.

Some time ago a county councillor for the area, Councillor Charlie Fleming, highlighted to me and Senator Diarmuid Wilson the inadequacy of the old clinic premises on Crosstoney Road. Senator Wilson and I successfully lobbied the HSE and the then Minister for Health and Children to agree to the provision of a new health centre in the town. There was a major investment of €1.3 million in a state-of-the-art health centre. I had the privilege of performing the official opening in February 2008. That investment was widely welcomed and supported by the local community as it provided for new facilities for the GP practice, as well as nursing care and other health services.

It is a source of serious disappointment to the local community that the GP service has ceased temporarily. In correspondence to me, locals have said they are anxious that the GP service be restored without delay. I have received numerous letters and telephone calls from many senior citizens who are concerned that the temporary cessation of the GP service could ultimately lead to its long-term loss. That will not be tolerated by the local community in Ballinagh. Therefore, I urge the Minister of State, through her Department and the HSE, to insist that the GP service be restored without delay.

Local people expressed their genuine concerns at the recent public meeting and it was noticeable that concern was being expressed by senior members of the local community who had to avail of GP services on a regular basis. They need to travel to the health centre regularly. Many of the people who spoke at the meeting do not have cars and if required to travel four or five miles to an alternative centre will be dependant on family, friends or taxis to do so, which is not feasible in the long run. Also prominent at the meeting were the parents of many young children who, as we all know, often have to attend a general practitioner. They forcefully advocated that this service needs to be restored without delay. If the service is not restored imminently, people will have to travel a number of miles to Cavan town, Kilnaleck or Killeshandra to practices that area already under pressure. All of us in this House support the provision of more services in the community. In my county, we have been fortunate to have had in recent years an excellent primary care centre in Virginia alongside a nursing unit. The situation is similar in Ballyconnell and others are being developed throughout the county.

These new state-of-the-art facilities must be used to the maximum. I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, to ensure, through the HSE, that the general practitioner practice is resumed in Ballinagh without delay. In this regard, I am conveying the strong wishes of the local community.

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