Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome to the Chamber this morning. I thank her for taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I am seeking an update on primary care centres in Monaghan, Castleblayney, Clones and Ballybay. What stages are they at? As the Minister of State will know, Sláintecare reform is about transforming how we deliver healthcare in this country and building towards equal access to services for every citizen based on patient need rather than ability to pay. In putting people at the centre of the health system and developing primary and community health services, the Department of Health is working in conjunction with the HSE to provide new models of healthcare that will allow people to stay healthy in their own homes and communities for as long as they possibly can, which is vital. It is about providing the right care in the right place at the right time.

Primary care is an essential element of our healthcare system for the future, with all of the health and social care services you can find in your community outside of hospital providing a single point of contact with the health system. This is why the development of primary care centres in County Monaghan is so important. The primary care centre in Carrickmacross was opened by the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, approximately 12 months ago and is now successfully up and running. Different elements are at varying stages of development but the feedback has been very positive.

The primary care project in Monaghan town includes the refurbishment of the old Blackwater House facility on the beautiful campus of St. Davnet's Hospital in Monaghan town. The HSE has previously said that 40 to 45 staff will be located on the site once it is fully up and running. The project will include a major refurbishment of the Victorian building in Monaghan town and is expected to comprise two GP practices - I understand GPs have already signed up and committed to the project - community nursing, dentistry, adult mental health services, civil registration, adult and child disability services, psychiatry of old age and inpatient accommodation to name but a few.

I would be grateful if the Minister of State would give us the up-to-date position on the primary care centres in Monaghan town, Clones, Ballybay and Castleblayney because there is great interest in them. People can see that this is the future of healthcare in this country and they are very eager to see these facilities up and running as soon as is practicably possible.