Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department is aware of the proposed development by the Health Service Executive, HSE, of a new health centre on Inishbofin. I understand that my Department has received correspondence from the HSE regarding the centre a number of times since 2004. However, I am advised that my Department did not agree at any stage to fund this development, either jointly or otherwise.

I am, of course, conscious of the particular challenges faced by island communities in areas such as health care, due to their location and travel constraints. However, since my Department’s budget for infrastructure development has been reduced substantially in recent years, it is not in a position to enter into any commitment related to the proposed health centre development. In any event, my Department would view any such development as being the responsibility of the HSE in the first instance.

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