Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

It is a shame that the necessary resources for staffing were not provided when the facility was established in 2006. It is yet another example of poor planning within the health service, where capital and revenue are often not co-ordinated. It is important to point out that there is changed thinking in regard to diagnostics. There are concerns, for example, about having an X-ray machine in a primary care facility on the basis that it is unlikely there would be sufficient critical mass to justify the provision of attendant staff. The thinking now tends to be that where one has X-ray facilities, it is important also to have the follow-on services on the same site.

I take the Deputy's point, however, and agree that the current situation is far from ideal. I would very much like to see the machine brought into use, but I understand the cost of moving it would be substantial, being in the region of €85,000. We are considering all possibilities with a view to seeing if it can be used. It is a shame to see facilities like this lying idle. I thank the Deputy once again for raising the matter.

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