James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree absolutely that primary care centres should be chosen on the basis of need. The widening of the criteria helped to meet those needs in a much more complete manner. That manner and those criteria are transparent and I have outlined them to the Deputy today. I also indicated that as long ago as 2007, when his Government was in power - which is purely coincidental - the HSE identified the two towns of Balbriggan and Swords as being high-priority and in need of centres. That was more than five years ago. Since then the population of both towns has increased, employment has increased and the needs of the people could not be described as having diminished. They are greater than they were.

I reiterate that I stand over both the manner in which this was done and the criteria I used, and I will be happy to explain whatever aspect of this matter the Deputy fails to understand.

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