O’Brien receives confirmation of Fingal funding in Health Capital Plan

Local Minister and TD for Dublin-Fingal Darragh O’Brien has received confirmation from the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that funding of over €6m will be provided in the Health Capital Plan for projects in North County Dublin.
Under the plan to be announced in the coming weeks €100,000 has been allocated to Lusk Primary Care Centre for refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension works and €150,000 for Skerries Primary Care Centre, also for refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension works. €2.2 million has been allocated to St. Ita's in Portrane for upgrade and refurbishment works of the 123 block while €3.62 million has also been allocated for the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital.
Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “I am delighted to receive this confirmation of much needed funding. Our entire health service has been through the most difficult 16 months and are still under severe pressure with the ongoing pandemic.
“Skerries and Lusk Primary Care Centres cater for a large proportion of our population here in North County Dublin, a population which continues to grow. Investment in Primary Care is key to building a better health service. We need to ensure that more people can be treated close to home, in the communities where they live.
“Communities in Donabate and Portrane will be only too aware of the decline of St. Ita’s which came about as a result of the very welcome move to de-institutionalisation in our mental health services. Generations in the area have close ties with St. Ita’s, whether working in the hospital, visiting residents, or caring for the grounds. The investment being made in the capital plan is very important. 
“As we come out the other side of what has been a most gruelling period, where so much has been asked of our health services, I’m glad to see continued Government investment and I will continue, as a local TD, to push for further investment in North County Dublin,” he concluded.