Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)

I express deep concern at the recent announcement that the long-awaited primary care centre in Kanturk in Cork has suffered a significant setback. The developer has withdrawn from the project, necessitating a retendering process by the HSE. This facility was envisioned to provide essential services, including GP consultations, mental health supports and ancillary healthcare services, to the community. Its delay is a profound disappointment to the Kanturk community, who have been waiting for improved healthcare infrastructure since planning permission was granted in 2018.This situation underscores the broader issue of the persistent neglect of rural healthcare development. While urban centres see rapid progress in healthcare projects, rural communities such as Kanturk face repeated delays and setbacks. The disparity raises questions about equitable access to healthcare services across the nation. I request that the Leader allocate time for a debate with the Minister for Health. We need to understand the reasons behind the developer's withdrawal, the anticipated timeline for the retendering and the measures being taken to prevent such occurrences happening in other areas in the future. It is imperative that we ensure that rural communities across Ireland have the same kind of commitment and resources as urban areas.