Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

In response to Senator O'Toole, it is important to indicate that there will be a significant gain along the lines mentioned by Senator Twomey for the general public in primary care centres. On the position of the Department of Finance, it is my understanding that they are the same as the capital allowances for nursing homes.

The HSE policy runs along the lines mentioned by Senator Twomey. Primary care centres will bring not alone members of the medical profession who will rent space but the HSE under the one roof in a catchment area. The benefit for the patient is that he or she will have all of the necessary supports under the roof.

Why should a doctor leave his or her garage extension and spend €1 million or whatever sum is required to develop a primary care unit? Why should he or she want to provide extra diagnostic equipment? Why would he or she not just let a patient queue up at the accident and emergency department? There must be an incentive if one wants a doctor to move out of his or her garage extension and co-operate with other service providers.

Is there a financial gain in a doctor having his or her garage extension? He or she will probably be able to sell it on in 20 years when he or she finishes practising. There is not a real financial gain because all members of the primary care centre team who will form a limited company will pay tax at 20%. On whether they can get others to put in €1 million into the unit, whether a relief is of benefit to them in doing so and whether the bank and accountants will support such a proposal if there is a relief in place, the answer is yes. My understanding is there will be no loss to the Department if there is a company in place. That is my exact point on nursing home beds.