Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if contracts will be irreversibly finalised in respect of the provision of private hospitals on public grounds before the imminent General Election; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13505/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On foot of a Government decision, I issued a policy direction to the Health Services Executive in July 2005 on the co-location of private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals which will result in the provision of an additional 1,000 beds for public patients. It is a matter for the HSE to implement the policy of the Government.

In May 2006, the Health Service Executive published a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union inviting expressions of interest from private consortia wishing to become involved in this initiative. The Health Service Executive are at an advanced stage in a public procurement process in relation to the co-location of private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals. I understand that the HSE proposes to issue Invitations To Tender to the shortlisted bidders shortly. Following receipt of the tenders the HSE will evaluate the tenders and select the successful bidders. Following that a "stand still" period of 2 weeks is required by procurement law before agreements can be signed by the HSE with the successful bidders.