In April 2016, in a parliamentary question to the Tánaiste, who was then Minister for Health, a proposed primary care centre for Tullow in County Carlow was queried. In the reply and on record, he stated: "The HSE proposes to deliver the primary care centre for the Tullow, Rathvilly and Hacketstown area using the direct/own-build mechanism." Therefore, in 2016. it was stated that the centre would be delivered. In a HSE reply on the matter at the time, it stated that its capital plan would fund the centre.

Five years have passed since then. I have been in contact with the Tánaiste, his office, the Minister for Health and the HSE. The executive told me that it has identified a site in Tullow that will serve as a primary care centre and will serve the local communities in Hacketstown and Rathvilly. This issue has been ongoing for five years. My understanding is that delivery of the centre is to commence this year. I ask the Tánaiste to deliver on the commitment that was given in 2016 by him as Minister for Health for the people of Carlow, Rathvilly and Hacketstown.

I thank the Deputy and appreciate that she has raised this issue previously. I know that it is a priority for her. I am glad to hear that a site has now been identified in Tullow for the new primary care centre. When such centres are built around the country, and there are two or three in my constituency, they really do enhance primary care services, so the more we have, the better. As the Deputy will be aware, many construction projects are delayed as a consequence of the pandemic and, therefore, I cannot say that it will start this year, but it should be this Government, comprising our parties, that makes it happen. I will take a personal interest in the issue and try to get a timeline that we can both stand over.