Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

On 25 February 2008, my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, the then Minister of State with responsibility for children, opened the new state-of-the-art health centre in Ballinagh, County Cavan. This fine facility which cost in the region of €1.3 million, replaced the old and outdated centre on the Crossdoney road. The centre contributes significantly to the provision of quality health services in Ballinagh and the surrounding areas. This excellent facility gives people direct access to integrated, multi-disciplinary teams of nurses, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and until a few weeks ago, a general practitioner was in situ four days a week.

Over the past weeks I have been contacted by a large number of concerned citizens in the Ballinagh area, including among them, former Councillor Charlie Fleming and Mrs Bridget Delaney who were instrumental in campaigning for a new centre to be constructed and also my colleague, Councillor Patricia Walsh, has been in contact with me in this regard.

The local community has expressed grave concern as to the impact of the withdrawal of GP services on the local community, and also the impact on the local pharmacy. There are grave concerns that this pharmacy may be forced to close as a result of GP services being withdrawn from the state-of-the-art health centre. I urge the Minister and to have this urgent situation rectified as soon as possible.