Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise the urgent need of a primary care centre for Finglas. As the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, may be aware, there has been a promise for a number of years to put in place a primary care centre for Finglas, which is also a top priority for the HSE. Some years ago, a previous application for a site for the centre failed. The location that has now been chosen and agreed is on a site of the former Church of the Annunciation in Finglas west. I have real concerns, and many in the community I represent share them, that the overspend on the children's hospital along with the challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic will have an impact on the building of the new primary care centre and that the primary care centre long promised for the people of Finglas and its surrounds may be subject to delays or funding issues. There is more need than ever for a primary care centre in Finglas because of the current lack of medical facilities serving north Finglas and west Finglas.

Finglas is an area neglected for many years and badly served when it comes to health service provision.

The primary care centres in Ballymun, Cabra and Corduff have proved to be a great asset to the communities in these areas. They have provided their communities with wonderful medical facilities on their doorstep which are non-existent in the areas of Finglas I mentioned. The population of Finglas is increasing and it has a higher percentage of older people than the national average, making the provision of a primary care centre all the more important. It beggars belief that there has not been a single GP in north or west Finglas for more than 20 years. It is, therefore, no surprise that Finglas has been identified as an area of high priority and that has a considerable need for the benefits brought by a primary care centre.

In addition, a primary care centre in Finglas will take the pressure off local hospitals, such as St. James’s Hospital, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and the Mater hospital, in dealing with minor injuries and in the provision of social care services, including mental health services. Other primary care centres, such as the one in Ballymun, have developed invaluable links with local acute hospitals, making it easier for GPs to care for patients at weekends and in the evenings. I envisage the primary care centre in Finglas developing similar links and having similar tangible benefits for the provision of medical services and to the community.

However, the communities in Finglas need to be reassured that this project will go ahead and will not face delays. They also need to be reassured that whatever funding is required for the completion of the primary care centre will be made available. Will the Minister of State give me and the community a commitment that this will proceed and that there will be no obstacles to this commitment which was made many years ago? The people of Finglas need this primary care centre. Other primary care centres were built even though our application went in well in advance of any of them.

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