I will start with some good news for a change. However, it is good news that is tainted by bureaucracy getting in the way of progress. The Government needs to look at the process for having new GP services take on medical card patients. The bureaucratic red tape within the HSE makes this really difficult. I have had this experience over the last couple of years in trying to help a new GP service in Rowlagh. I have been working with Dr. Kumar and his team from day one to get approval from the HSE to allow the practice to take medical card patients. That process took over 18 months. The clinic was able to see private patients since opening but could not take on medical card patients. An 18-month wait to be able to do so is unacceptable. It needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency. I was delighted to see it finally being approved. It will allow the Rowlagh Medical Centre to take on an initial 1,000 medical card patients. It also has capacity for more. At a time when GP services are in short supply, this is wonderful news for the people of north Clondalkin and beyond. The centre opened its doors in 2024. Since then, it has seen over 10,000 patients. It has a walk-in service, which also needs to be looked at. You do not need an appointment to see the GP. You can just walk in. Other GP surgeries in the area do not offer that service. The centre also provides an out-of-hours service. It is open from Monday to Sunday, seven days a week. People have said that other GPs might be a bit put out by this competition but my own GP, who is listening to this debate, is quite happy to see this service because it is talking pressure off them. They are inundated with people seeking to access their services. As I have said, this is a good news story for the people of north Clondalkin and the surrounding areas but there is also a bad news story. We have been promised a primary care centre in Rowlagh for over 15 years. At the very start, there was an issue with a land transfer between the Department of education and the Department of Health. This saga has been going on for way too long. It is an area of high disadvantage. The Pobal index will tell you that; I do not need to stand up here and say it. The area has been crying out for this centre for a long time. The last response I got from the Minister was very disappointing. It basically said that plans are on hold. We have been waiting for 15 years and the plans are now on hold while the Department looks at the needs of the area. I can tell the Minister of State the needs of the area. I live there. My constituency office is in the heart of the area. I know the people who come to me looking for access to GPs, mental health supports, physiotherapy and all of the other things offered as primary care. We need to see this primary healthcare centre in place as a matter of urgency.

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