The Minister for Health has provided an update on the long-awaited Killarney Primary Care Centre in response to a parliamentary question from Kerry Fianna Fáil TD, Michael Cahill.

The Minister confirmed that the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Kerry County Council (KCC) have submitted a joint venture planning application for the development of the Áras Phádraig site.

If planning permission is granted, the facility is expected to be completed within three years, allowing for the necessary phases of design, tendering, construction, and commissioning.

In a correspondence between the HSE and Cahill, Cork-Kerry Community Healthcare outlined the current status of the project.

The long-term Killarney Primary Care Centre at the Áras Phádraig is awaiting planning approval from Kerry County Council.

In the meantime Cork-Kerry Community Healthcare confirmed that an interim primary care facility is proposed to be developed on the grounds of the old St. Finan's Hospital – possibly in disused out offices on the site

A capital submission for this project has been made and approved, subject to funding and prioritisation. If approved to proceed, the interim facility could be operational within 10 to 12 months.

Deputy Cahill welcomed the update, describing it as "a major step forward for the people of Killarney and the surrounding hinterland of East and Mid Kerry."

"The Minister also expects to have an interim facility in place in 10 to 12 months, in the grounds of the old St. Finan’s Hospital," he added.