Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He will be aware that the need to provide a new health centre was identified under the CLÁR programme as far back as 2003. In response to a parliamentary question last November, the Minister for Health stated that co-funding remained an issue. In that context, I thank the Minister of State for his clarification on this issue. I believe, as does the community on Inishbofin, that this is ultimately a HSE project and it is the responsibility of the executive to proceed with the planning application, purchase the land required, go to tender and provide a modern facility for the people of the island. As far as I am concerned, the HSE is responsible for all care centres across the country, both on the mainland and on the islands. I thank the Minister of State for his response. He visited Inishbofin last year and saw the facilities that are there currently, which are not what one would hope for in any community. I will be communicating with the HSE further and will relay the Minister of State's view that this is ultimately a HSE project.

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