Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the co-location hospital plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13165/09]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will continue to support the proposed construction of private hospitals on State lands; the position in respect of these proposed co-located hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13086/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her Department has carried out a re-evaluation of the private for-profit hospital co-location scheme in view of the economic recession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13330/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 79 and 225 together.

The co-location initiative is a complex process but it is an efficient means of delivering extra bed capacity. Significant progress has been made in advancing the individual projects involved. The Board of the HSE has approved preferred bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at Beaumont, Cork University, the Mid-Western Regional Limerick, St. James's, Waterford Regional and Sligo General Hospitals. Project Agreements for the Beaumont, Cork, Limerick and St James's projects have been signed. Planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála for the Beaumont project late last year. Planning permission for the Cork and Limerick projects has been granted by the local authorities concerned and appealed in each case to An Bord Pleanála. The preparatory work required to make the planning application for the St James's project is underway.

The necessary preparatory work for the Project Agreements in respect of Waterford Regional Hospital and Sligo General Hospital is proceeding. Two further projects are at an earlier stage of the procurement process. A tender in respect of Connolly Hospital has been received by the HSE and is under consideration. Work is being undertaken on the drafting of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Tallaght Hospital.

It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. It is certainly the case that the funding environment has changed significantly in the last number of months, and this has affected both the public and private sectors. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the new situation. The successful bidders are working on the details of contractual terms with banks and other arrangers of finance. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to carry out an independent review of the co location initiative following completion of the current programme of developments. Having regard to this commitment, my Department will make the necessary arrangements for a review in due course.