Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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28. To ask the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to accelerate delivery of a new primary care centre in Portumna, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34125/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for allowing me to update the house on this matter.

The need for a new Primary Care Centre (PCC) in Portumna was identified as part of the HSE’s overall primary care centre development programme. As the Deputy is aware, the HSE had previously advertised and identified a preferred developer for this new centre and construction had commenced. However, the preferred developer was unable to proceed based on the original terms and following significant engagement, the HSE had to exercise its right to terminate the Agreement for Lease in Q1 of this year.

Following the termination of that Agreement for Lease, the HSE is now reviewing the most appropriate options to proceed with this development. At present, the HSE is updating the service needs assessment and preparing a revised schedule of accommodation and business case for this PCC. Subject to obtaining the necessary relevant approvals, it is currently expected to progress to the next stage in Q3 2025.

I fully recognise that the delay in the delivery of Portumna PCC is both disappointing and frustrating for the people in the Portumna area who have been waiting on the completion of this centre for some time. However, the HSE is now moving forward with plans to progress the development of Portumna PCC and ensure that plans for the new centre take into account the changing needs of the area.

I assure the Deputy that my Department is engaging with the HSE to progress the further development of PCCs throughout the country, including Portumna PCC.