Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I regularly check planning applications to Carlow County Council. We have a good news story coming from Carlow. I have seen a planning application for a 140-bed hospital and I will be speaking to the Minister in respect of that matter. I have not seen a planning application for this primary care centre. While I welcome this, and I assure the Minister of State that I monitor planning applications at all time, I have concerns that the HSE has not responded to me with more information.

I am constantly addressing the matter here and I am constantly in contact with the HSE. I welcome this. It is important now that the planning application goes through as soon as possible. I will do anything I can to help because Tullow has waited nearly six years for this.

The Minister of State indicates this will happen in 2022, which is really welcome, although we are looking at another year and a half or two years before this will be built. We must be practical. The Minister of State knows there is an eight-week period in the planning process and people might put in submissions or whatever. We do not have a timescale but this information is welcome. I will ensure I promote this as best I can. I am sure the people of Tullow, Hacketstown and Rathvilly will do the same because this service was needed years ago.

I know the Minister of State is stepping in for the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and I thank her for that. I have major concerns, however, as trying to get information on certain projects from the HSE can sometimes be impossible. People from these areas come to me and want to know when such projects will happen and a primary care centre for Tullow, Hacketstown and Rathvilly is vital. This news is really important and I will stay in contact with the Minister of State. I thank her for that good answer.

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