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

I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this important issue. As he said, it is an area I know very well. I spent many years there.

A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a continued 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 multidisciplinary services they can provide and the role they play in keeping people who do not need to be in an acute setting out of hospital. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, facilitates the delivery of this multidisciplinary health care.

With regard to the issue raised by the Deputy, I understand from the HSE that construction of the Carrigaline primary care centre is now complete and that this centre will provide primary care services to the surrounding areas, including Passage West. The new primary care centre will add to the 105 already operational nationally and the ten in Cork.

I am advised that the Passage West health centre provides access to speech and language therapy and public health nursing, and that home help services are also delivered from the centre. I am, however, also advised that the centre is in a deteriorating condition - apparently, it is in a very bad way. The services currently being delivered from Passage West health centre will relocate to the new primary care centre. The new centre is currently being commissioned and equipped for HSE services which are due to begin to move from the middle of this month, starting with nursing.

Other HSE services to relocate include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental, and a home support office. GP practices and a pharmacy opened in the centre in August 2017. Space will also be allocated for additional services not previously available in Carrigaline. In addition, the building will accommodate the children’s disability team for the local network, as part of Cork children’s developmental service roll-out. The centre will provide primary care and network services to the population of Carrigaline and the surrounding areas, including Passage West, which is the region of 26,000.

The HSE has advised that Cork and Kerry Community Healthcare does not have a finalised timeline for the closure of the Passage West health centre. However, it is expected that the provision of HSE primary care services in the centre will cease in early 2018. Planning in this regard is ongoing to ensure arrangements will be in place to meet the health care needs of the Carrigaline-Passage West catchment area.

I know the Deputy was in contact with the Minister, Deputy Harris, about this matter, and the HSE has assured us it will make arrangements to provide the required services at a location convenient to the small number of people who may not be in a position to travel to Carrigaline. I have been advised that local HSE management has offered to engage with any community or voluntary groups interested in delivering health related services from the building in Passage West, further to communication from local representatives in this regard. They are listening to the voices of local representatives.

I have also been advised that the HSE understands the concern from the community regarding access to Carrigaline primary care centre and is in discussion with Bus Éireann on improving public transport access.

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