Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding tenders for her co-location plans for private hospitals on public hospitals grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6273/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a public procurement process in relation to the co-location of private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals. The HSE received a large number of expressions of interest. The HSE is in competitive dialogue with shortlisted bidders with a view to identifying the hospitals core requirements and service delivery model for individual sites. The dialogue is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Following the conclusion of the competitive dialogue, the HSE will issue the Invitation To Tender to the bidders (ITT). The aim is to evaluate the tenders and select the preferred bidder for each of the remaining 8 public hospital sites early in the 2nd Quarter of this year. The HSE has a target date of April 16th in this respect.

There will be a rigorous value for money assessment of any proposal and this will take account of the value of the public site and the cost of any tax expenditure. Any transaction will be on a commercial basis and will fully protect the public interest. In addition, there will be full adherence to public procurement law and best practice.