Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassador to the House. I hope he enjoys his stay.

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. I raise the proposed primary care centre for Cahersiveen in deep south Kerry and seek a clear and detailed update on its current status and the next steps. This project is of major strategic importance to the Iveragh Peninsula. The centre will bring a comprehensive range of services together under one roof, including GP care, public health nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, mental health supports, dental and disability services and a social inclusion and Tusla hub. In a rural region like south Kerry, this integrated model of care will significantly enhance access and reduce the need for long journeys to larger centres. The new primary care centre will also complement the local ambulance base for which funding has been secured. Together, these developments will strengthen the emergency response capacity and create a more co-ordinated, modern healthcare system for the area.

Progress has been made. The design phase has been completed. Planning permission has been granted. The project is clearly advancing through the required stages. What is now required is clarity about the remaining steps. Has the full feasibility assessment for the Cahersiveen primary care centre been completed? If so, will the Minister of State outline its key findings? If any elements of that assessment are outstanding, it would be helpful to know what they are and when they are expected to be finalised.

Will the Minister of State provide clarity on the funding position? Has capital funding been formally allocated for the construction phase within the current HSE capital plan or through another mechanism? If funding has not yet been set aside, I call on him to indicate when that decision will be made and whether the project will be prioritised in upcoming capital allocations.

The big question people have in the Iveragh and Cahersiveen area is when construction is expected to begin. The community, the local healthcare providers and all the stakeholders need certainty on the feasibility, funding and timelines so this important project can move forward without any hassle.