A planning application for a primary care centre in Dundalk is to be submitted later this year.

The HSE revealed the developer intends to submit plans, with an expected delivery date of 2020.

Sinn Féin TD for Louth Gerry Adams hit out at the planned completion date when responding to a parliamentary question.

He said: "There is a longstanding government promise of a primary care centre with mental health services for Dundalk. I have been campaigning for provision of these services for some time now.

-- Advertisement --

"In Dundalk community based psychiatric services are practically non-existent, and delivered from Ladywell. They cannot provide Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, or Old Age Psychiatry services in this building.

"I have asked both the Taoiseach and the Minister of State for Mental Health to visit this 60 year old damp building to see how badly facilities are needed. They have not done this. They won't do this."

Teachta Adams added: "It is not acceptable for people to just wait until 2020. The Minister must ensure an interim solution is put in place. I will continue to raise this issue with the government until people have access to necessary services."

(CM/MH)