James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I presume that the premises referred to is located at Shamrock Plaza, Carlow. If so, then there appears to be considerable confusion with regard to the use of the premises and the services to be provided. The facilities at the nearby Sacred Heart District Hospital and St Dympna's Hospital are not suitable for the provision of primary care services.

The new primary care centre for Carlow town is to be accommodated at Shamrock Plaza. The development of primary care teams and primary care centres is a priority under the programme for Government. The first floor is already occupied by threeGP practices and HSE staff will occupy the second floor. Both floors have lift access. Together, these floors will accommodate the Carlow town primary care centre and when the HSE staff move in, the primary care team will be located there. Other businesses, including a bank, a software company and pharmacy are accommodated in the building. There is residential accommodation on the upper floors. There is underground car parking beneath the building and an estimated 1,000 car parking spaces in the vicinity, including a multi-storey car-park. Up to 43 HSE staff will provide a range of health services, including public health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy services, speech and language therapy, psychology services, dietary and nutrition advice, home help services and general support staff facilities. There are additional rooms to accommodate outreach hospital consultant clinics and other visiting specialists. At maximum capacity, up to 40 clients can receive services at a single point in time. The fit-out has been completed and equipping is virtually completed. The accommodation will be ready for occupation by HSE staff shortly.

The rent paid for any HSE occupied primary care centre accommodation cannot exceed that approved by the HSE board for that specific location. The annual rent for this centre is €320,000 a year, for an area of just less than 20,000 square feet. This rent is less than the rent approved by the HSE board for a premises of this size. Rent payments, which are payable in advance, have just commenced.

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