Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ellis for raising this important matter and fully understand his frustration. The Minister has asked me to convey his apologies as he has been unavoidably detained elsewhere this evening.

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 nationwide. Primary care centres facilitate the shift from acute care to primary care because of the range of multidisciplinary 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.

The development of primary care centres to accommodate primary care teams and, where possible, general practitioners, is a key enabler for the delivery of primary care services. The nature and range of the services provided from a primary care centre may vary and such facilities can, and often do, fulfil other public functions too.

I advise the Deputy that 97 primary care centres are already operational, of which 54 have been opened since 2011. There are 40 locations at which primary care infrastructure is under construction or at an advanced planning stage under three different methods of delivery. Of these, 12 are by direct build, 14 are by public private partnership and a further 14 by operational Iease. A further 43 locations are at an early planning stage. The mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care centres are dependent on a number of factors. 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, 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 developer's access to adequate financing. Some of these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive.

In February 2015, An Bord Pleanála took the unexpected decision not to grant planning permission for the Finglas primary care centres on the Mellowes Road site following an appeal by local residents on permission which had previously been granted by Dublin City Council. I am advised that HSE estates, in conjunction with the local primary care service team, is reviewing several alternative sites for a new primary care centre in Finglas. The HSE has advised that it is at the initial stages of contact with agents representing the landowners of the sites to determine the viability of purchasing them and is conducting internal risk assessments with respect to local sensitivities with planning permission due to previous decisions.

Developments in the Finglas area include the HSE refurbishment of the Ballygall health centre on Seamus Ennis Road, which has resulted in the doubling of clinic rooms available in the centre. Improvement works to the Wellmount health centre on Wellmount Road has provided three additional rooms in the centre.

Finglas remains a priority for the Department and HSE as one of the communities considered most in need of access to primary car services. Subject to successful negotiation, this project will be prioritised again in future capital plans. I assure the Deputy that the Department and Health Service Executive are fully committed to delivering a primary care service in the Finglas area.

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