Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Rock for raising the issue of the provision of a primary care centre in Finglas. Deputy Rock has a long track record in fighting for an improvement in the health services in the Finglas area in particular. Finglas has been identified as a high priority location for the development of a primary care centre. Plans for a HSE direct-build centre were approved in 2012 in the context of the HSE’s multi-annual capital plan. Following a review of a number of sites in the area, the HSE identified a Dublin City Council owned property on Mellowes Road in Finglas as the preferred site for the construction of the proposed new primary care centre. Subject to planning permission, the commercial terms for the sale were agreed with officials of Dublin City Council and approved by the HSE. The site on Mellows Road was selected because it was a good site. It was centrally located in the catchment area which it was intended to serve, had good accessibility and was well served by bus routes. It was a generous green field site that had future expansion capacity. There would be no impact on current services during the construction period and the location would complement the HSE day care centre on Kildonan Road. The site would facilitate the establishment of GP services in this area and local GPs had expressed significant interest, in discussion with the HSE, in being a part of the development at this specific location.

As the Deputy will be aware, the granting of planning permission by Dublin City Council was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. An Bord Pleanála’s inspector also recommended that planning permission be granted, upholding the Dublin City Council decision. However, in February 2015, An Bord Pleanála took the unexpected decision not to grant planning permission for the Finglas primary care centre. We were extremely disappointed and shocked by this decision, as zoning was appropriate for the proposed development and use. The single reason given for the refusal by An Bord Pleanála was the loss of informal open space. Following the refusal by An Bord Pleanála, HSE estates in conjunction with local primary care services teams have reviewed a number of alternative sites for a new primary care centre in Finglas. A number of potential sites were identified by Dublin City Council but none were considered to be ideal.

The HSE was made aware of another site in Finglas which would be very suitable for a primary care centre and which would potentially become available for the HSE to purchase. The HSE is still in discussions with the owners of the site and their agents to establish if their site development options would facilitate disposal of lands to the HSE or the incorporation of a primary care centre into a development at this location. These discussions are still ongoing and we understand that the owners are still considering their options. We await confirmation of their position. In the event that this site is not deliverable, all other options will then be considered by the HSE. Nevertheless Finglas south and west remains a priority for the Department and HSE as it is one of the communities most in need of access to primary care services.

I will bring all of the issues raised by Deputy Noel Rock to the attention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris.

See this speech in context