David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Health his future plans for a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38919/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Community Health Centre in Castlemartyr, was in use up to 2 weeks ago by the Home Help Service.

At present, the property is vacant, however the HSE plan to use the property in the provision of health services in the area. A review of service options is currently underway, which will inform the short- to medium-term use for the health centre. The service options appraisal is anticipated to take a number of weeks.

I support the actions taken by the HSE to ensure that the Health Centre remains in use for the service.

In the longer term, plans for Castlemartyr Health Centre will be finalised following on from the provision of the new Primary Care Centres in Youghal and Midleton Co.Cork.

Both primary care centres are to be delivered by Operational Lease and have the Operational Lease Terms Agreed with the preferred bidders. Both primary care centres are at early stages of the planning process, and pending granting of planning permission will progress to advanced planning stage.

An application for planning permission for Youghal PCC was resubmitted on the 26th of February 2024. Cork County Council issued a request for further information on the flood risk, road access and ecological /environmental impact of this project. These requests required additional surveys to be undertaken. The surveys have been conducted and the developer is compiling their response to Cork County Council.

The planning permission application for Midleton PCC is due to be lodged by the Developer in the coming weeks.

These modern fit-for-purpose facilities will be welcome additions to the communities in South-East Cork, adding to a number of recent developments throughout Cork county, including the new primary care centre in Cobh, which opened at the end of 2023.

This Government has made significant investment in the provision of community healthcare services and facilities. I and my Department are actively engaged with the HSE to progress the development of healthcare and community services for Castlemartyr and the region.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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19. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to develop healthcare infrastructure in Carraroe, County Galway, with particular reference to the development of a primary healthcare centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38975/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for allowing me to update the house on this matter.

HSE Community Healthcare West is currently actively engaged in supporting the development of a Primary Care Centre in the South Connemara Primary Care team area – this area includes An Cheathrú Rua/Carraroe.

The plans for this development are at a very early stage, with the accommodation schedule and business case currently being finalised. Once completed the proposal will be submitted to the HSE National Property Review Group for consideration.

Should this development progress, the HSE will liaise with the local service to assess the optimal delivery mechanism for the Primary Care Centre in South Connemara.

At present, an Cheathrú Rua/Carraroe in County Galway is served by a Health Centre from which HSE deliver services.

This proposed Primary Care Centre for South Connemara will be in addition to other Primary Care Centres in West Galway including Maigh Cuilinn (Moycullen) Primary Care Centre which became operational in 2023 and Uachtar Ard (Oughterard) and An Spidéal (Spiddal) Primary Care Centres, both of which are at the early planning stages.

There are now 10 Primary Care Centres operational throughout County Galway, with a further eight in the early planning stages, and three of those eight Primary Care Centres are located in Connemara.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that it is welcome news that further progress is being made on the development of additional Primary Care Centres across County Galway and in South Connemara, in particular.