Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will try to give each 20 seconds. Regarding Galway and the smaller projects, I fully agree that is an issue in Galway and right across the country. It takes us too long. A few things need to happen. Capital allocation needs to be sufficient and, second, there needs to be much more efficient processing of these. I could not agree more. We are working with the HSE. I am engaged directly with the chief executive on exactly that.

Let me get Deputy Dillon an update on Ballyhaunis. If I need to intervene, I absolutely will. I know we have discussed this matter here previously. I acknowledge that Deputy Dillon has been advocating on this for some time. The primary care centres being built across the country are a huge good news story. I am opening three tomorrow in counties Sligo and Donegal. They are transformational for the local communities. I will revert on Ballyhaunis.

On the question of accommodation, I agree. Healthcare services and hospitals have previously had accommodation blocks for nurses. There is room for that. It is something we can look at. I have spoken to individual hospital chief executives who already have their eye on various pieces of land or existing property they would like to retrofit for exactly that reason.

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