Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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835. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the delay in delivering the primary healthcare centre for Finglas, Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36965/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost-effective health care system. 

Finglas has been identified as a high priority location for the development of a Primary Care Centre.   Approval for a HSE direct-build Primary Care Centre was approved in 2012. Following the review of a number of sites in the area, a Dublin City Council owned property on Mellowes Road, Finglas was identified as the preferred site.  Subject to planning permission, the commercial terms for the sale were agreed with the officials of Dublin City Council and approved by the HSE.

The planning permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanála where an inspector upheld the Dublin City Council decision.  However in February 2015, An Bord Pleanála took the unexpected decision not to grant planning permission for the Finglas primary care centre due to the loss of informal open space.

Following this refusal, HSE Estates in conjunction with local Primary Care Services Teams identified an alternative site for a new Primary Care Centre in Finglas and initiated discussions with Dublin City Council in relation to purchasing this site on terms agreeable to both parties. 

Feasibility studies on the site are still progressing.  The HSE will be tendering for the services of a Design Team to progress the proposed project to completion in the near future subject to agreeable conclusion to the site purchase.