Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach inniu. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues is very welcome. I always knew he was very talented. I happened to tune into RTE radio on Saturday afternoon. He confirmed the fact. He, along with some of his colleagues here, came across very well.

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I always wanted to be in a boy band.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I compliment the Minister of State on that.

This matter relates to a proposed primary care centre for Monaghan town and north County Monaghan.Over a decade ago Monaghan hospital lost its acute services. This caused much trauma, concern and pain to the people of the county. Since then, they have been forced to travel, and sometimes to take their place in a queue, in order to have an emergency attended to in hospitals either in Cavan or Drogheda. At the time the service was removed, the HSE promised that a primary care centre would be fast-tracked for north County Monaghan. Unfortunately, that was over ten years ago and there has been no sign of a brick being laid.

We all agree on the virtues of primary care. It is estimated that 95% of all health care can be taken care of at a local level. Therefore, it is vitally important that such facilities are fast-tracked, particularly in a county that has no acute hospital services. I am very disappointed with the delay. I understood that different sites had been explored and examined and that a site at the current campus of Monaghan General Hospital had been selected. We expected a lot more progress would have been made long before now and I am sad to say that I have nothing to report at this point. I ask the Minister of State to update me on the current situation and explain the reason for the delay.

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I thank the Senator for his question. Two of his colleagues were on the programme as well, Senators Frances Black and Fintan Warfield, and they were way more talented than I. I always wanted to be in a boy band so we had a good afternoon and got a bit of politics in as well.

I congratulate Senator Gallagher on being elected to the Seanad and wish him the best of luck. I thank him for raising the development of the primary care centre for Monaghan town and I welcome the opportunity to outline the current position on this important health infrastructure development.

Over the past number of years work has been under way to deliver and manage health care as far as possible within a primary care setting, with patients less frequently requiring admission to hospital. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective of delivering a high quality, integrated and cost-effective health care system. Enhancing and expanding capacity in the primary care sector is crucial to ensuring delivery of a preventive, joined-up approach to the management of the nation's health and the modernisation of primary care delivery. The programme for a partnership Government sets out a clear vision for health services in Ireland that is community-based, responsible and accessible to patients. The development of primary care is central to this by shifting the balance of care from a hospital-centric system to one located in the community, enabling users to access easily a broad spectrum of care services through their local primary care team. I have outlined the principle behind the system and the broader vision involved.

The delivery of primary care infrastructure is, however, dependent on a number of factors, including suitable locations being available, successful planning processes and a commitment by GPs to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. The HSE is looking to provide a new primary care centre in Monaghan town to best provide for the needs of the population of Monaghan and I strongly support the Senator's view on this matter. The primary care centre for Monaghan town is included in the HSE's multi-annual capital plan and is currently at the design stage. The proposed location is the Monaghan hospital campus and it is presenting certain technical challenges - hence the delay. The HSE is examining these matters with the design team and all options for the delivery of the project are being considered. This process to identify a satisfactory solution to address these design challenges has not yet concluded. After the design issues have been dealt with, I hope to come back to the Senator and we can see what can happen from there.

Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I plead with him to use his good offices to try to ensure this project is fast-tracked as a matter of urgency. I will not go over the same ground again. Suffice to say this facility is badly needed. It would be very much appreciated by the people of County Monaghan, and by me, if the Minister could use his good offices to assert the case for the primary care centre for Monaghan town.

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Let me reassure Senator Gallagher that I accept his point that the primary care centre is badly needed. We need to make progress. I will talk to the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, about the design and technical delays. We all agree in principle that a primary care centre is needed in Monaghan. A site is available, so we should do the job. I assure the Senator that I will bring his message to the Minister.