Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the planned Ballyhaunis primary care centre which had a scheduled operational date of Q4 in 2021, but which continues to be on hold as of 12 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52467/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A central objective of the Programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a “home first” approach.  

Primary Care Centres play an essential role in the delivery of that objective and significant progress has been made in the delivery of these centres nationally, with 160 opened to date and more planned.  

However, in respect of Ballyhaunis, the HSE has advised that, due to several factors, construction progress has been delayed. That said, the HSE has advised that it is the developer’s intention that works will recommence on the project as soon as possible and that, to this end, the HSE remains in continuing dialogue with the landlord.  

I have asked my Department to impress on the HSE the importance of working with the developer to progress construction as a matter of urgency and the HSE has formally requested a planned recommencement date and programme of works to completion.  

I understand that this delay is frustrating for the people of Ballyhaunis and its surrounding area. However, I wish to reiterate that both I and the HSE remain committed to the delivery of a Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis as quickly as possible. In the interim, I wish to assure you that the people of Ballyhaunis can access a suite of primary care services in nearby Claremorris and Castlebar.