Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I thank the Minister for coming in to take the matter of the potential provision of a primary health care facility in Portumna, County Galway. Primary health care is the way forward in the delivery of essential health services. These services are imperative to the people living in and around Portumna and its hinterland. Such a facility would provide a wide range of services essential for the well-being of members of the community to include the promotion of health and screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation as well as personal social services. They are particularly attractive as a concept in that they are fully accessible by way of self-referral and operating as a one-stop shop.

Under the one roof, general practitioners, public health nurses, general nurses, social workers, community mental health nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists will deliver such services. However, it must be recognised that the health system which serves the country is not fully integrated and we must try to achieve such a system within the term of the Government as committed to in the programme for Government.

I am aware from meeting interested parties recently that permission for a primary health care centre was approved by planners in Galway County Council some time ago and, as such, this is a ready to go site. I am also informed that the said facility was one that was to be prioritised under the previous Government but this never came to fruition during that time. We need better health for everyone in every community. That is why I ask the Minister to outline the plans as the health strategy should aim to deliver improvements in the personal experiences of many thousands of individuals who avail of health services every day. However, while I acknowledge that there is a list of centres approved throughout the country, I seek a commitment from the Department on the provision of such an important medical facility in Portumna within the lifetime of the Government. To that end I request that the necessary arrangements be made in the capital budget to bring such a facility to Portumna during the term of the Government.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Senator for her question. I very much welcome the opportunity to outline the current position with on Portumna primary health care centre.

As the Senator will be aware, the programme for Government sets out the Government's commitment to ensuring a better and more efficient health system; a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to health care based on need, not income. In a developed primary care system, up to 95% of people's day-to-day health and social care needs can be met in the primary care setting. The key objective of the primary care strategy is to develop services in the community that will give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other health care disciplines. This is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system.

A modern, well equipped primary care infrastructure is central to the effective functioning of primary care teams. These teams enable multidisciplinary services to be delivered on a single site, provide a single point of access for users and encourage closer co-ordination between health providers. The infrastructure development, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multidisciplinary primary health care and represents a tangible refocusing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting.

The intention to date has been that, where appropriate, infrastructure for primary care centres would be provided by the private sector through negotiated lease agreements. The Exchequer will also fund the delivery of some primary care centres particularly in deprived urban areas, small rural towns and isolated areas. In addition, a list of 35 potential locations for development by way of public private partnership, as part of the Government's infrastructure stimulus package, was published last July.

The provision of a primary care centre in Portumna has been progressed to date by way of a private sector operational lease process. In 2007 the HSE advertised nationally seeking expressions of interest to develop primary care centres by way of operational lease. Portumna was one of the locations included in the process. Expressions of interest were received and a number of sites explored. The HSE approved an offer to one of two applicants in 2008 and a letter of intent issued. In 2010 the applicant advised the HSE that it proposed to change the site for the centre as it had encountered difficulties in acquiring the original proposed site. The alternative site was acceptable to the HSE and to the GP practice supporting the development and project design was advanced in 2010 to 2011.

The applicant in question has had discussions with the HSE on a number of primary care centre developments it is promoting and seeking to fund, including Portumna. These discussions have recently concluded and the HSE expects to receive confirmation from the applicant that it is in a position to fund the primary care developments concerned. The HSE is endeavouring to progress the Portumna project as soon as possible.

I ask the Senator to keep in touch with my office and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, and I can keep her updated on progress.

Lorraine Higgins (Labour)
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I appreciate the Minister providing further clarity on the matter and I look forward to the facility being progressed in Portumna.