Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, I thank Deputy Ellis for raising the important issue of the provision of a primary care centre in Finglas.

The development of primary care is central to the Government’s objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost-effective healthcare system. This involves a move away from the older hospital-centred model to focus on the delivery of care in the community and at home.

Finglas has been identified as a high priority location for the development of a primary care centre. Approval for a HSE direct build primary care centre was given in 2012 in the context of the HSE’s multi-annual capital plan. Following the review of several sites in the area, the HSE identified a Dublin City Council-owned property on Mellowes Road, Finglas, as the preferred site for the construction of the proposed new Finglas primary care centre. Subject to planning permission, the commercial terms for its sale were agreed with the officials of Dublin City Council and approved by the HSE.

As the Deputy will be aware the award of planning permission by Dublin City Council was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Its inspector also recommended the granting of planning permission, upholding the Dublin City Council decision, but in February 2015 An Bord Pleanála took the unexpected decision not to grant planning permission for the Finglas primary care centre due to the loss of informal open space.

Following refusal by An Bord Pleanála, HSE estates, in conjunction with local primary care services teams, reviewed several alternative sites for a new primary care centre in Finglas. An alternative site was identified and discussions with Dublin City Council on purchasing the site were initiated.

In recent months, the HSE has been tasked with the delivery of additional capacity - infrastructure and equipment - nationwide in the effort to contain and prevent the spread of Covid-19. Discussions with Dublin City Council on the proposed primary care centre were delayed due to this work.

However, these discussions have been recently reconvened in an effort to conclude the site purchase from Dublin City Council on terms agreeable to both parties. Feasibility studies on the site are still progressing. The HSE will be tendering for the services of a design team to progress the proposed project to completion in the near future, subject to an agreeable conclusion to the site's purchase. Finglas south and west remain a priority for the Department and the HSE. It is one of the communities most in need of access to primary care services.

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