Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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9. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the urgent upgrade of the health centre on Inishbofin for which planning permission has been obtained but expires next month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44246/13]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am seeking information on the provision of a new health facility for the island of Inishbofin. As the Minister of State is aware, island communities face unique challenges. When I visited the island recently, the building was in a poor state. I spoke with a retired public health nurse who stated that the facility, to use her words, was awful, cold and unsuitable for serving the public.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The construction of a new health centre on Inishbofin was identified as a priority for the provision of health services under the CLÁR programme to the island population in 2003. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which had responsibility for the islands at that time, indicated that there was support for the Inishbofin project under the 2004-05 programme.

The then Western Health Board, now HSE West, undertook to advance the project as the main stakeholder by procuring and appointing a design team. The project was developed and planning permission was granted in November 2008. However, co-funding remained an issue and, to date, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which now has responsibility for the islands, has not agreed to co-fund the project.

Nevertheless, the HSE has continued to try to progress matters by endeavouring to secure the proposed site by purchasing required additional land adjoining the current site. The estates department in HSE West is actively pursuing the acquisition of the adjoining site. Once this process has been concluded, a request for co-funding for the project will be sent to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Meanwhile, an extension to the current planning permission for a further five years is being sought.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am pleased that an extension to the planning permission has been sought. According to the Minister of State, this centre was identified as a priority in 2003. There has been a major delay. It is difficult to believe that the upgrade so badly needed by the island community would be delayed by ten years. The centre is in a poor state. I am happy that progress has been made but the process should be rushed. In the event that co-funding is not found within the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the HSE should consider using its own budget, as this is a necessary facility. Some deal should be made. It is unfortunate that the island community might fall between two stools in terms of funding, with neither body taking full control and possibly blaming the other for the project not going ahead.

I welcome the Minister of State's response and ask him to continue pursuing this project with the HSE.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Deputy Kyne made some reasonable points, particularly regarding the delay since 2003 in resolving this matter. I take his comments on board and thank him for raising this matter with his usual assiduousness. We will pursue the matter as he has requested us to do.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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As the Deputy who tabled the next question is not present, we will move on to No. 11.