Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and I welcome the opportunity to provide an update to the House on this very important matter. The ongoing development of both community and primary care is core to the Sláintecare vision. The Government is committed to ensuring local people are provided with the care they need as close to home as possible and have access to a wider range of health and social care services within their community. The development of primary care centres in communities such as Gorey is a practical illustration of this.

The HSE has advised that a third primary care centre for Gorey is currently under development. This centre is with a local GP practice which will extend and develop its existing building in line with HSE requirements. I am happy to be able to inform the Senator, and he may have been informed last night by email as well, that floorplans have been agreed, that planning permission has been granted and that HSE estates are currently awaiting completion of the agreement for lease. I am also advised that the HSE is currently working with the developer on the issue regarding the quantity and location of car parking being offered. Further to this, a proposal has been presented that is currently under review. All in all, this primary care centre is a very welcome development. It will act as a single point of access for health and social care delivery. The primary care team will include GPs working alongside public health nurses and other healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. This team will also link in with wider community network services, including dental care and hearing specialists, amongst others.

The Senator also asked about the HSE clinic building in Camolin, County Wexford, which was formerly a health centre and is currently vacant. This is a detached building on its own site which is owned freehold by the HSE. The HSE is currently checking the title of the property with the intention of disposing of the site. The various State agencies are to be advised in the next few weeks on the pending sale in accordance the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular 11/15 on the protocols for the transfer and sharing of State property assets. If there is no interest from these agencies, the property will be put onto the open market.

The Senator said this issue has been ongoing for the last four years. It is simply not acceptable that four years later we are in the same situation. I will raise it within the Department and within Government. The Government is committed to continued investment in the development of primary care centres nationwide, in both urban and rural areas. We know how important they are around the country. Senator Murphy has seen it in his own area and I have seen it in mine. They take the pressure off accident and emergency departments and many other facilities and provide a very valuable service. They have a crucial role to play in enhancing and expanding capacity in the primary care sector to deliver high-quality, integrated care to people in their own communities. I am sure this new primary care centre in Gorey will be a valued community asset. This process has been far too slow. I thank the Senator for raising this issue again in the House.