Sinn Féin TD Ann Graves has expressed disappointment that the HSE has left Swords out of its Capital plan for 2025.
Hopes that a primary care centre would be delivered for Swords as part of the project were dashed this week, with Graves calling it a “glaring omission.”
Graves noted that there were local improvements such as a new accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital, a 10-bed high support residential service to replace Carlton House in Lispoppel, and a disability day service for school leavers on the Rathbeale Road.
“This is all very positive and to be welcomed. But the glaring omission from the plan is the badly needed primary care centre for Swords. The public needs and deserves a fully functioning public health care centre,” Graves said.
“In 2022 I had a public health centre for Swords included in the Finqal County Development Plan. After a lengthy process the HSE had stated a facility in Swords would be built and operational by 2025. Through its operational lease model, the site and provider had been secured with full planning permission. Thirteen years after being deemed a priority, the public are still no closer to walking through its doors.
Sinn Féin Fingal County Councillor John Smyth said “the failure to deliver the Swords public health centre is hugely worrying.”
“This is another worrying example of how publicly funded infrastructure never appear to be completed on time or on budget.”
“Sinn Féin has seen correspondence from the HSE in recent weeks highlighting similar plans to develop a primary care centre in Donabate through this “operational lease model”. Donabate, like Swords, is in desperate need for investment in infrastructure.”
Smyth said “there is genuine concern that this project will also become another broken promise. I will be raising this at every opportunity with Fingal County Council and I will be expecting full cross party support on this urgent matter.”
Graves added “Sinn Féin will be demanding accountability. I have written to the HSE requesting an immediate update on the project. I will be raising it directly with the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.”