Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress to date in delivering the hospital beds in each of the co-located private hospitals identified by the Health Service Executive; when she expects the first beds to come on stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1016/09]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 462: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether the co-located hospital project is financially viable in the current economic climate; the position regarding the advancement of each of these proposed co-located hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1691/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 462 together.

The aim of the acute hospital co-location initiative is to make available approximately 1,000 additional public acute hospital beds for public patients by transferring private activity, with some limited exceptions, from public acute hospitals to co-located private hospitals. No capital outlay is required as the beds in the public hospitals are already in place, having been funded by the Exchequer. The Board of the HSE approved successful bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at six hospital sites. Progress made in relation to each of these sites is set out in the following table:

A tender in respect of Connolly Hospital has been received by the HSE and is under consideration. Work is being undertaken to finalise the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Tallaght Hospital.

As regards funding, each successful bidder has to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. It is certainly the case that the funding environment has changed radically in the last six months, in relation to both public and private sectors. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with this. The successful bidders are working on the details of contractual terms with banks and other arrangers of finance in the very difficult and changed credit environment. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders with the goal of achieving new public acute bed capacity at value for money to the State.