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

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the provision of a primary care centre in Finglas. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective of delivering a high-quality, integrated and cost-effective healthcare system.

As the Deputy is aware, Finglas has been identified as a location for the development of a primary care centre. As he pointed out, approval for a HSE direct-build primary care centre was granted in 2012. Following review of several sites in the area, a Dublin City Council-owned property on Mellowes Road, Finglas, was identified as the preferred site. Subject to planning permission, the commercial terms for the sale were agreed with officials of Dublin City Council and approved by the HSE.

The planning permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanála, where an inspector upheld 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 due to the loss of informal open space.

Following this refusal, HSE estates, in conjunction with local primary care services teams, identified an alternative site for a new primary care centre in Finglas and initiated discussions with Dublin City Council in respect of purchasing the site 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 agreeable conclusion to the site purchase.

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