Delay in Primary Care Centre plan

THE HSE is understood to be waiting on a decision from the Archdiocese of Dublin regarding their position on a site in Finglas earmarked for a Primary Care Centre.

Plans for a Finglas primary care centre date back several years and in 2013 the HSE agreed a €180,000 deal with Dublin City Council for one to be built on land bordered by Mellowes Road, Mellowes Avenue and Kildonan Road.

However, a successful campaign by Mellowes Area Action Group (MAAG), which was opposed to the centre being built on their local green space, resulted in that plan being scrapped.

The HSE has been seeking to identify a new site since then but their latest plan could have hit a stumbling block before it even starts. Dublin North West TD, Noel Rock (FG), says a response to a recent parliamentary question he submitted to the Minister for Health indicates a site has been identified but the HSE is waiting for a decision on if it’s available by its owners, the Archdiocese of Dublin.

“I have been pushing this matter for nearly three years now; pushing all parties to identify an alternative site, pushing the Minister to ensure that budgetary provisions are still available and pushing the HSE to make a decision,” he said.

“It is vital that the HSE and the Archdiocese in Finglas work together to secure a common understanding. If they can secure an agreement, great. If they can’t, it’s important that the HSE know that so they can resume looking elsewhere.

“The people of Finglas have been calling for the Primary Care Centre for a number of years now. I appreciate that the HSE have highlighted that the Finglas area is one of the highest national priorities for the provision for a Primary Care Centre but it is now time to deliver on this.”

Deputy Rock says he has no wish to interfere in the plans of the archdiocese, but is urging the HSE to continue looking for other sites if necessary.

“The need for a Primary Care Centre as I have outlined for years is clear,” he added. “It’s time to make this happen.”