Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the guidelines for proposals for private hospitals on public lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37758/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the provisions which exist to advise her Department and the Health Service Executive of private hospital development proposals; the cost benefit analysis which is carried out by her Department; if the Health Service Executive has input to this analysis; if the approval of the Health Service Executive is necessary for such projects to proceed; the policy approach adopted by her Department and the Health Service Executive; and if such proposals have to be submitted for evaluation to the NDFA in view of the tax expenditure cost of such developments. [37833/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 198: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of applications or proposals which have been advised to her Department in respect of private hospital developments; the location of such proposals; the estimated number of beds in each project; the estimated capital cost of each proposal; the estimated tax relief in respect of each proposal; the timescale for the delivery of each proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37835/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 193, 197 and 198 together.

The Government is committed to exploring fully the scope for the private sector to provide additional capacity in the health system. The key objective is to provide the required extra capacity, whether this is in the public or private sector. In July this year, my Department issued a policy direction to the Health Service Executive which is aimed at freeing up additional beds for public patients in public hospitals through the development of private hospital facilities on public hospital sites. The initiative will provide up to 1,000 additional beds for public patients over the next five years. Private developers will be responsible for the construction of the private hospitals and public capital funding will not be provided.

Attached to the policy direction was an assessment framework which the HSE has been requested to follow in regard to proposals to locate private hospital facilities on public hospital sites. It requires that the evaluation should have regard to a detailed assessment of need, and existing and planned capacity on a particular site and within the relevant region. It should also provide for a rigorous value for money assessment of any proposal which would take account of the value of the public site and the cost of any capital allowances. In addition, it makes clear the need for adherence to public procurement law and best practice.

The Health Service Executive has been asked to develop an implementation plan to progress this initiative.