Dunkineely GP services must be restored Pringle tells Taoiseach

The Government has to ensure Dunkineely Health Centre services are restored, the Dáil heard today.

Addressing the Taoiseach, Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle said: “I have been in contact with the Department of Health and the HSE regarding the closure of the Dunkineely Health Centre in Donegal. The HSE have still not responded and the response I have received from the Department referred me to the HSE.”

“My constituents are understandably extremely worried about the future of their health centre and the future of their town. Dunkineely has seen closure after closure in recent years, such as their post office and garda station, and so the town is understandably anxious about the sudden closure of yet another service.

“However, this doesn’t seem to be of priority to the HSE and is just another example of the lack of concern or care our national services and the government have for rural communities,” he said.

Deputy Pringle raised the issue with the Taoiseach during questions on policy or legislation.

He added: “Patients have nowhere to go, as doctors in the surrounding practices of Killybegs, Mountcharles and Donegal town have been unable to take on new patients for a while now due to high demand and lack of GP practices in south Donegal.”

“Taoiseach, what will your government do to make sure that these services are restored and available?"