General Practitioner Services

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Ceisteanna (1093)

Rory Hearne

Ceist:

1093. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Health the engagements, if any, she has had with an organisation (details supplied) in 2024 and 2025 regarding the organisation’s concerns on the future of its services; if she is supportive of the organisation expanding into Finglas west, given the need for a new GP service for the more than 20,000 people living in Finglas; the engagements she has had with the organisation in relation to the service being established in Finglas west; when these engagements took place; the outcome of these engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2369/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department of Health and the HSE have had extensive engagements with the organisation concerned over previous months, including a number of meetings between officials of my Department and the HSE with the organisation’s management last year.

The focus of engagement has been to identify ways of ensuring the organisation is enabled to continue to deliver services on a sustainable footing. A range of solutions, aligned to statutory and contractual requirements, have been presented to the organisation. Furthermore, the HSE provided for a 3rd party to give independent advice to the organisation on this matter and this advice has since been provided.

The service provided by the organisation is highly valued by my Department and the HSE who are aware of the organisation's plan to expand its service, and my Department and the HSE are committed to supporting the planned expansion.

Engagement between all parties to put appropriate solutions in place is ongoing.