Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister have any date for completion of the project? Will the Department have any role in the primary care centre or is that strictly the Health Service Executive? Will there be matching funding?

Let me try to give a tiny bit of background. This has been going on for 20 years. According to the 2022 census, Inishbofin had 188 inhabitants, which, luckily, was an increase. A functioning health centre is a basic need. The current facility is not fit for purpose.

We had a national primary care island services review in April 2017. It was that long ago. It recommended a new primary care centre for both Inishbofin and Inishmore. A commitment had been secured for that.

A plan for the completion of these facilities was signed in 2018 and costing was completed. Here we are now, in 2024, waiting for the tiny strip of land so that it will be completed and allow for the building of a health centre, the most essential piece of basic infrastructure. Twenty years on, could I have a date for the completion of the transfer of the land?

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