Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the Deputy in offering my sincere condolences to Dr. Fitzsimons, her children and the entire family on their recent bereavement.

The Gurteen health centre is located in south Sligo. The centre houses a public health nursing service, a day centre for older persons and the local GP practice. Local HSE primary care management has advised that it is aware of the issue of restricted space within the building for the GP practice. While it is not possible to extend the building, the HSE is conducting an options appraisal process to scope out options for the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the building. It is intended that this process will be completed in the coming weeks and, following appropriate discussions with stakeholders, a priority submission for capital funding is to be put forward. This is a long, official way of saying that the HSE is aware of the problem and is looking to solve it. The HSE will finalise some options in a matter of weeks, which is welcome to hear, and will prioritise whatever the preferred option is.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I will ask my officials in the HSE to keep her updated on progress.

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