Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise the issue of the Glenties primary care centre. I raised this issue quite recently with the Minister in the House, given the concern that has been expressed locally about the lack of development in the provision of the Glenties primary care centre. The current facilities available include a GP surgery which could be described as cramped, out-dated and in very poor condition. It is in need of upgrading or a new facility. The local community and the Glenties parish council deserve credit for the work they are doing to progress the issue. In the past two weeks there has been a number of meetings to discuss this issue. The local parish council and the local community are more than anxious to see some development of this project.

I raised the issue on 4 March 2010 and I was advised at the time that while the HSE capital programme for the period 2010-14 was not finalised or approved, the project would be taken into consideration. This was a bland response but it outlined the project was still somewhere on the radar.

I am very disappointed with the HSE and the Department of Health and Children with regard to this project. I am deeply disappointed at the lack of progress at a national level. In qualifying that comment, I recognise the significant contribution of the HSE team in County Donegal, led by John Hayes. The team has taken this project as far as they can bring it, in other words, tenders are now being sought.

The project is of critical importance to the Glenties area and would provide facilities for the local GP, the public health nurse, the community welfare services, the community physiotherapy services, social work services, occupational therapy services, dietician services, learning disability services, minor injuries clinic, the mental health services, physical and sensory disability services, psychology services and many other additional services.

The site has been secured from the St. Columba trust, at a knock down price of €59,000. The HSE paid the money to the local parish and recognition must be given to the local community for providing the site at a mere €59,000 as it is worth many multiples of that figure.

Planning permission has been secured for the project from Donegal County Council. The building is to be designed as a single storey composition. It will facilitate the integration of primary care services and individual local public health services. Even though I raised this issue quite recently I raise it again to keep it on the agenda. I am of the firm view that the HSE at national level is letting down the people of Glenties and the surrounding areas by not progressing this project to tender. While there has been a number of false starts this can be forgotten on the basis that the project could go to tender. All the preparatory work has been done locally. The project has been given stage five approval. The next stage would be to go to tender. In the current climate of value for money, many projects are receiving lower tenders. This project should be allowed go to tender. Given that value for money could be obtained, it is a win-win situation for the HSE and the Department and it is a win-win for the local community which has been waiting for the new facility for a long number of years. The site is there, planning permission is available and we need the approval to go to tender.

While the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, does not have responsibility for that Department, I hope we can see some form of progress this evening on this issue.