Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the value of the land approximately to be given to private individuals to build private hospitals on public land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11990/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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No public land is being given to private individuals to build private hospitals. In July 2005, following Government approval, I issued a policy direction to the Health Service Executive to develop co-located private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals. The aim of this initiative is to transfer private activity from within the public hospital system to new privately financed and managed facilities and thereby free up approximately 1,000 additional beds for public patients.

The land to develop co-located private hospitals will be leased, not sold, on a commercial basis to successful bidders. There will be a rigorous value for money assessment of all proposals. Any transaction will be on a commercial basis and will fully protect the public interest. There will be full adherence to public procurement law and best practice.