Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I am very grateful to the Leas-Chathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. It relates to primary care. We could discuss primary care centres in Kells, Laytown and Bettystown, and perhaps we will do so again. They are very important, but I will focus on the Ashbourne primary health care centre. It has been built a long time. I ask the Minister of State to provide an update on its position and I will respond when he has given his reply.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. It gives me the opportunity to address the plans for the provision of primary care services in Ashbourne, County Meath, and the wider context.

The development of primary care teams and primary care centres is a priority under the programme for Government and an extremely important element in the health reform process. The provision of primary care centres and teams throughout the country will significantly increase health and social care in local communities, and will be achieved by redirecting services away from acute hospitals.

Primary care infrastructure is being delivered using three mechanisms, as the House will be aware, namely, direct build, the leasing initiative and the public private partnership initiative announced in July 2012. The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary care and represents a tangible re-focusing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting. The modernisation of our primary care accommodation and practice is vital to the successful delivery of services in the future. In this regard, 27 primary care centres have opened since May 2011.

The primary care infrastructure model offers a good opportunity for private sector finance. The HSE sought submissions from individuals and companies who were interested in developing health facilities which would accommodate the delivery of primary care services in conjunction with local GPs. Ashbourne primary care centre is being delivered using the operational lease mechanism. The 19,000 sq. ft. centre is located at Declan Street, Ashbourne.

Some three GPs and their practice staff have already commenced services in Ashbourne primary care centre. The commissioning of the telephone system has been completed this week and the transfer of the administrative function will commence next week. Following that, a range of clinical services will transfer into the building over the course of a number of weeks. The full commissioning of the building requires the transfer of some equipment from existing facilitates and the delivery of new equipment, which is ongoing.

When fully opened, Ashbourne primary care centre will accommodate the following services: Ashbourne family practice; public health nursing; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; speech and language therapy; primary care social work; psychology; and a range of outreach consulting services. South Meath community mental health team and mental health day service will also operate from the building.

Staff working in the Ashbourne primary care centre will relocate from a number of other health care facilities, such as the existing health centre in Ashbourne and the health care facility in Dunshaughlin, County Meath. It will be necessary for a number of staff to work across the locations. No specific recruitment campaign will be required.

The development of Ashbourne primary care centre represents a step forward as regards the modernisation and updating of working practices, facilities and equipment and supporting ICT systems. The sharing of accommodation between GPs and HSE staff members in one centre facilitates a team-based approach to service provision, building capacity in primary care and contributing to sustainable health and social development in Ashbourne and its environs.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome what the Minister has said about the opening of the primary care centre in Ashbourne. At the start of the year we were told it would open in the first quarter, then that it would happen in May. From what the Minister of State has said, I note significant progress is being made, which I acknowledge and welcome. It is a shame to see a large building being under utilised, although, as the Minister of State said, the GPs have been in place for some time. I hope the system works and that there will be real co-operation between GPs not just in the centre, but between other doctors in the area who should be able to achieve synergies and facilitate the cross-care requirements of the various therapies and mental health.

Some concerns have been raised about the reduction in the services available in Dunshaughlin, and I may write to the Minister for Health about the matter, but they are not evident from the Minister of State's reply. It may simply be another base for staff to work from for the provision of health care services in south County Meath. I hope that is the case.

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I acknowledge and agree with what the Senator said. I thank him for his support on this important new facility which will open in Ashbourne in the very near future. I am glad to able to give more detail about the current state of play. If the Senator or any other Member of the House wishes to obtain information on any additional aspects or raise questions by way of contact with me, I will do everything I can to assist and respond to them.