Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Senator stated at the outset that the final design was due for 2020 with construction to commence in 2021. In fairness, she pointed to Covid and the challenges we have had. I do not have a specific timeline or dates but Senator Seery Kearney will appreciate the importance of the fact that the funding has been allocated to progress the appointment of the design team and that the tender process for the service has commenced.

The construction programme for primary care centres will continue throughout the period of the national development plan. We all know what an important role they play in communities. The HSE has been successful in developing a network of primary care centres. We now have 142 primary care centres operational throughout the country. In line with national requirements of appraisal, design, planning, tender and construction, this programme will continue into the future, including the development of a primary care centre in Drimnagh, as I have outlined.