Vol. 515 No. 2
178 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to provide a new health centre at Kilcock, County Kildare; if so, the date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5744/00]
The provision of health centres in County Kildare is a matter, in the first instance, for the Eastern Health Board. I have been advised by that board that it entered into a contract last year with a local general practitioner to lease space in her practice premises and that it now provides dental, public health nursing, community welfare and chiropody services from there. The arrangement permitted the Eastern Health Board to transfer these services from unsatisfactory premises and has been working very satisfactorily.
The board has also advised me that proposals for a new health centre in Kilcock are also included in its capital priorities. It sees Kilcock developing in the future as a large town which will require a substantial investment in a health care facility to meet the needs of the increased population.
