Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To go back to the issue raised earlier of public private partnerships, reference was made to roads. I understand a proposal is to come before Cabinet today in respect of elective hospitals. The proposal is that it would be day facilities only, which is a very short-term solution, not a long-term solution. I can only speak about this issue in the context of County Cork. In the context of PPPs, I have met developers who have said they would be prepared to design, build and lease back a hospital as required by the HSE. Do the witnesses believe such proposals should be given consideration in light of the fact that it would resolve several issues relating to healthcare as it would involve upgrading and putting in place the standard of hospital that is now required whereas, for instance, in the case of one of the hospitals with which I am working the original building was constructed in 1751 and the cost to refurbish it would far exceed the cost of building a new elective hospital? In the context of public private partnerships, should that issue be considered?