Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important matter. On behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, I thank the Senator for raising it and giving me the opportunity to provide an update.

The central objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated healthcare, with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a home-first approach. Integral to this is the development of primary care centres in local communities across the country. Significant progress has been made in the delivery of these centres, with 174 open to date and a further seven under construction and due to open this year. These primary care centres offer a tangible example of the investment the Government is making in community-based healthcare infrastructure.

The operational lease model is often the preferred model for developing primary care centres because it has the potential to offer better value for money and enable streamlined delivery of projects. Under this model, the HSE enters into fixed-term leases with the developers. The HSE identifies the locations requiring a primary care centre and invites interested parties to express their interest in providing suitable accommodation by way of public notice in national and our local press.With regard to Ballymahon primary care centre, the HSE advises that, while this project had previously progressed through to early planning stage, the original bidder is no longer involved in this project. As such, it is now intended that a new expression of interest competition will be initiated in May 2024 to deliver a primary care centre in Ballymahon via the operational lease model in Ballymahon. Regarding Granard primary care centre, the HSE advises it is intended that a capital funding application will be submitted to purchase a site and develop a primary care centre utilising Exchequer funding. Regarding Edgeworthstown primary care centre, following advertisement and review of submissions, a preferred bidder has been selected. A property transaction approval form was prepared and approved by the HSE property review group in December 2023. The developer is currently reviewing the schedule of accommodation for the GP, and legal negotiations have just commenced between the HSE and the developer’s solicitors.

These primary care centres will be a welcome addition to the people and healthcare workers of Longford. Unfortunately, it is not possible to estimate an opening date until agreements are in place and a construction schedule has been confirmed. However, I assure the Senator that this Government remains committed to the provision of these primary care centres for Longford and remains committed to the continued development of primary care centres throughout the country.