I am delighted to confirm that Carrick on Suir is to get its own Primary Care Centre and I’m encouraged that it will be completed so soon. It means that local people will have a top-class, community-based healthcare service on their doorstep, and it is a further step towards delivering the right care in the right place at the right time.

The Centre will be open at least five days a week with extra hours at weekends and evenings for some services. The HSE will manage the centre.

I have been working hard to bring this project to fruition along with my Labour colleague and Minister for Primary Care, Kathleen Lynch. Providing better healthcare facilities and ultimately better and safer care in the community has been a priority for Labour in Government.

Today’s announcement proves that Labour delivers when resources permit and it builds on our already strong record of building primary care centres in local communities where the need is greatest.

Funding is being provided as part of an arrangement between the Government and the European Investment Bank. A total of 14 primary care centres across the country were given the green light today.

At the start of this year, Labour leader Joan Burton emphasised that she wanted to see ordinary people begin to share in the recovery. Today’s announcement, along with the recent news that free GP care will be provided to all under 6s this summer, proves that we are fulfilling that vision.

I will continue to work hard with Labour Ministers like Joan Burton and Kathleen Lynch to ensure our local community gets it fair share of services and infrastructure as the economy continues to pick up.