Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank Deputy Curran for raising this issue.

The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a decisive shift towards primary care so that we can provide better care close to home for communities around the country. Primary care centres are an integral part of this because of the range of multi-disciplinary services they can provide and the role they can play in keeping people who do not need to be in an acute setting out of hospital.

I can advise the Deputy that 93 primary care centres, PCCs, are already operational, of which 50 were opened from 2011 to date in 2016. At present, there are 48 locations where primary care infrastructure is under construction or at an advanced planning stage, under three different methods of delivery, namely, 14 by direct build, 14 by public private partnership and 20 by operational lease.

The mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care centres is dependent on a number of factors, some of which are outside the control of the HSE. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. Regardless of delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered or provided or available, subject to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition, the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing. Some of these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive.

In Clondalkin, primary care services are provided from three health centres, Boot Road, Rowlagh and Deansrath. In Lucan, primary care services are provided from two health centres, Lucan village and Rosse Court. The planning permission for the proposed PCC in Lucan, which was to be delivered by the operational lease mechanism, was rejected on appeal by An Bord Pleanála. As a result, the HSE has withdrawn the agreement for lease and is currently investigating alternative options for the provision of a PCC in the area.

The HSE's Boot Road health centre site in Clondalkin was identified for redevelopment as a PCC. However, following planning process delays and the preparation of detailed design and tender documents, the developer, who also owns an adjoining site, was unable to source the required finance to develop the entire site, as intended. A number of interested parties have contacted the HSE in regard to the development of a PCC for Clondalkin and I am confident that agreement to provide a new PCC in the area will be achieved.

The HSE will ensure that the services currently being delivered from the Boot Road health centre will continue to be delivered in the area until a new PCC is developed. Purchase agreement for the planned PCC for Rowlagh and north Clondalkin, which is to be provided by direct build, is subject to planning permission being granted for the development.

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