Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will raise two matters today, with the first relating to what a colleague from south Kildare has just raised with the Leader, namely, the Monasterevin day care centre. We are both asking that it be made fit for purpose as quickly as possible. The day care centre was closed by the Health Service Executive estates in 2014 on health and safety grounds, and since that time Monasterevin Gaelic Football Club has kindly allowed the day care centre to rent its pavilion and continue the service on an interim arrangement. The day care committee and the town of Monasterevin are deeply grateful to Monasterevin GFC for the use of its premises, but as the Leader might appreciate, this arrangement will cause more problems for the local GAA club, as with reducing Covid-19 restrictions, it is hoped the club will need its facilities more. This could limit the time allocated for the day care service.

Planning permission for the refurbishment and development was granted 18 months ago, as has been mentioned, on 27 May 2020, and in further good news the fire and safety and disabled access certificates were approved in April this year. In a recent reply to a parliamentary question to my colleague, Deputy Duncan Smith, the Minister advised the project is continuing to progress to tender stage and all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, including planning and design, before a firm timeline or funding requirements can be established.

The Monasterevin day care committee is a voluntary organisation trying to fulfil a need in its community with the help of the HSE. Its founding members established and developed, with the help of the HSE and its estates section, the day care centre in 1996, which is 25 years ago. Over the years the centre acquired a very special place in the lives and affections of the community. It was a great shock and loss to the community when the centre was closed in 2014 and that loss is still felt very sorely.

The community of Monasterevin looks forward to the reopening of the Monasterevin day care centre. I know many of those who attend the day care centre daily or twice weekly in Monasterevin and their lives without it would have a large void. For many it is their only social outlet. As already sought, I appreciate any assistance the Leader could provide with the project.

A second matter I raise with the Leader today is the lack of GP and out-of-hours services. Like many colleagues, I am sure, I am getting calls from people who are waiting weeks for appointments and hours or even days for a call back. I understand all our GPs are so busy at this time and I know how much work they carry out daily in our communities. However, I am sure the Leader agrees this is a developing and worrying trend.

I am also getting calls about the availability of GP services for so many new people who have moved to south Kildare to make the location their home and raise families. Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister for Health on our GP services at the earliest opportunity?It would be welcomed by many people.