HSE Considers Alternative Location For Village Primary Care Centre

The HSE is considering an alternative location for the Clondalkin Village Primary Care Centre, Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin has said.

Deputy Ó Broin said he has received correspondence from the HSE which said it was reconsidering the location following a decision of HSE's private partners to put their land on the Boot Road up for sale.

The HSE has also confirmed plans for the Rowlagh Primary Care Centre, to be located in the grounds of Collinstown College, are on track.

Meanwhile, the HSE has also confirmed the provision of Occupational Therapist services for Council tenants applying for home adaptation grants remains unresolved due to staffing shortages.

Deputy Ó Broin said: "Three successive governments have committed to the provision of two primary care centres in Clondalkin. One in Clondalkin Village and the other in North Clondalkin.

"I recently sought an update for the HSE Regional Manager David Walsh. In his reply he confirmed that the Rowlagh Centre is progressing well and that plans to provide the new facility on the grounds of Collinstown College are on track.

"However he also indicated that the HSE were considering an alternative location for the Clondalkin Village Centre. The move comes following a decision by the HSE's private partners for this centre to put the Boot Road site up for sale.

"The Boot Road Public Private Partnership caused considerable controversy at the time of application due to the scale of the private elements of the plan including an 80 bed nursing home and large private underground car park. The decision to grant planning permission was upheld by An Bord Pleanala.

"While the HSE is not ruling out proceeding with the existing site depending on the intentions of the purchasers of the Boot Rd site they have indicated that the Centre does not have to be built there and an alternative site may be proposed.

"The provision of both of these Primary Care Centres is well overdue and the HSE and Department of Health must ensure that no further delays occur. People in Clondalkin deserve high quality primary care provided in appropriate modern facilities.

"The HSE have also confirmed that they are still not in a position to provide Occupational Therapy services to Council tenants based in Clondalkin and Lucan applying for home adaptation grants, despite providing this service to Council tenants in Tallaght. David Walsh has confirmed that due to staffing shortages there are not in a position to meet this important need.

"As a result very vulnerable people who urgently need their homes adapted are unable to apply for the Council grant unless they can afford to pay for a private Occupational Therapist. This is resulting in people having to delay their application despite living in property that is no longer suitable for their special needs.

"I have written to the Minister for Health Simon Harris calling on him to provide the funding to address this issue and to ensure that all Council tenants across South Dublin receive the same service from the HSE."

(MH/CD)