HSE locates site for Finglas primary health care centre

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has agreed a land swap deal with City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) to facilitate the development of a new primary health care centre in Finglas.

The HSE says that consultations with the planning authorities and feasibility studies identified the unused Fergal’s Field located behind two CDETB schools, Coláiste Eoin and Coláiste Íde CFE in Finglas as a site for the centre.

However, as Fergal’s Field does not have road frontage, the planners identified the lack of access to the site as a major issue.

The land owned by CDETB adjacent to Fergal’s Field was then identified as a better option for the centre as it offers a greater level of entry.

In a deal that will see the two sites swap ownership, the HSE has also agreed to replace facilities lost by the schools in the transfer and develop an all-weather playing pitch.
According to the HSE, discussions were extensive to ensure both schools benefited from this development and the optimum layout was achieved.

The decision of the CDETB to sanction the deal now must go to the Department of Education for approval.

Fianna Fail councillor for the area, Keith Connolly welcomed the news.

“The people of Finglas have been waiting for primary care centre for over a decade and this land swap will help facilitate this much needed facility.

“There are no GP’s in Finglas west or south and I greatly welcome progress on this much awaited centre.

“Both Coláiste Íde and Coláiste Eoin will benefit from new and improved facilities as part of this deal, including a new all-weather pitch and astro turf pitches for their students and the greater community to enjoy.”

Fianna Fáil T.D for Dublin North West Paul McAuliffe also said that the breakthrough should applauded.

“I have spoken to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, who has confirmed that funding for the design phase of the Finglas primary care centre has been secured in the HSE’s capital budget this year.

“This will be a big improvement in much needed public health facilities for the Finglas area, and I look forward to the project now progressing to the next stage.”

Progress on the development of a primary care centre in Finglas has been slow with the An Bord Pleanala failing to grant planning permission for the facility at the site of the Church of the Annunciation in 2015.