The Tánaiste might remember in 2020 and 2021 SouthDoc Blackpool was closed. After a strong campaign by residents on the northside of Cork, it reopened later in 2021. At the time, the HSE said the closure posed a serious risk of unnecessary presentations to acute hospitals. More recently I have been contacted by constituents who told me they cannot see a doctor in SouthDoc and staff have also told me SouthDoc Blackpool is closed in all but name. On 29 February, I asked the Minister for Health whether there was any information on a reduction in service, the Minister said there was not. However, I received a parliamentary question this week that shows, on average, approximately 1,400 patients were seen in SouthDoc Blackpool in 2022 and 2023. However, in 2024 only 400 patients were seen.

We are over time.

That means SouthDoc Blackpool is closed, when the hospitals and the emergency departments are full and people cannot get an appointment.

Deputy, there are colleagues after you. I am sorry to cut you off but we are gone past the time.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. The facility of enhanced community care in the old orthopaedic hospital in Gurranabraher, has been a fantastic innovation on the northside in respect of people with chronic illnesses in particular.

This is out of hours.

I know. I set it up, as Minister for Health 20 years ago, so I know all about it.

It is closed again.

I established SouthDoc. I do not know whether the Deputy spoke to the local GPs about how they feel it is operating. I will talk to the GPs locally and we will talk to the HSE and examine the situation to see what can be done and what the optimal way to provide treatment is.