Dublin 12 public health nurses
Deputy Collins called for more public health nursing services in Dublin 12 and said existing resources are being shifted between centres. Deputy Butler said the Minister has asked the HSE for proposals and will engage with local Deputies, though Collins noted her question was about the primary care centre.
I have raised several times the severe lack of certain services across the Dublin 12 area due to a localised lack of public health nurses. We have seen resources taken from one centre and given to another, as was the case with the temporary transfer of nurses from Curlew Road in Drimnagh to Armagh Road in Crumlin. There is one public health nurse for child checks and one for older persons. People still cannot get services for themselves, their children and their families. We need an increased service in Dublin 12. In 2011, Drimnagh was promised those increased services in the form of a Drimnagh primary care centre. It has been 12 years with no delivery of services. Six months ago, in November, the Minister for Health stated that a consultant had been appointed to prepare a strategic assessment report on the proposed centre in Curlew Road. I request that the Minister provide an update on that report and on the progress with the delivery of the centre.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Collins for raising this issue. I acknowledge that she has raised it several times in recent years. During oral questions on health two or three weeks ago, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, dealt with this question. He has asked the HSE to come forward with proposals. He said he would engage with all the Deputies in the area to try to find a solution. Public health nurses are essential for young babies and their mothers, and also for older people to be able to live well in their own homes.
Comment on this
The question was on the primary care centre.