Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and acknowledge his ongoing work, advocacy and interaction with me to ensure this essential primary care service in Glanmire will remain a Government priority and be opened.

The provision of the new primary care centre in Glanmire is an absolute priority for the Government and the HSE. The centres, as the Deputy will be aware, play an essential role in providing integrated care and, critically, providing it to people in their own communities rather than making them travel to a hospital. The primary care centre in Glanmire is to be delivered via an operational lease mechanism and, following a selection process, a preferred solution was identified. A letter of intent issued to the developer in April of last year. There has been positive engagement between the HSE and the developer to move towards an agreement for lease.

The developer has confirmed to the HSE it is intended to lodge a planning application in the third quarter of this year, in the coming months. It is very welcome news that progress is being made on the development of the Glanmire primary care centre and it is expected to move soon to a planning application stage, which is very positive. I assure the Deputy my Department is very actively engaged with the HSE to progress the further development of the primary care centre in Glanmire and, indeed, of others throughout the country.

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