Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for bringing forward this motion and for giving us an opportunity to discuss the dire state of access to GP care across the State. I represent north County Dublin. My constituents are no different from the people we have heard described here. They wait for GP services and appointments, and they cannot get onto lists. Only last week, I spoke to a woman who has three children. Two of her kids are registered in Balbriggan but her third child cannot get to see a GP in the town. She now has to go to Malahide, which is a fair old trek for someone who has three kids registered across two practices.

Likewise, access to dentistry is a massive issue throughout my constituency. At one of my clinics, I met an elderly gentleman who was on his way down to the credit union to get a loan in order that he could pay privately for dental care that he desperately needs because he is in pain. He cannot access a dentist either in his local area or anywhere else. The man is absolutely desperate and is putting himself in debt for what is very basic dental care. Access to a dentist should not require someone to get a credit union loan. It is an absolute disgrace.

All the while, we have a bright and shiny primary care centre in Balbriggan. That centre came into being in controversial circumstances. The Minister of State's own party was very critical of it at the time, if I recall. Notwithstanding that, the building is there but there are no diagnostics on site. Balbriggan is the biggest population centre in north County Dublin. The centre serves a massive area. If we need diagnostics in my area, however, we have no choice. We have to travel for that. We have campaigned in Sinn Féin for many years for access to diagnostic facilities for people in my area. The population there is already massive and is growing fast. The people who live in Balbriggan deserve access to proper medical treatment and diagnostics.

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