Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Department of Finance in relation to possible incentives for general practitioners and other health professionals in relation to the building and equipping of primary care centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20195/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the recommendations on possible incentives for general practitioners and other health professionals in the development of Primary Care Centres, made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in its Report on Primary Medical Care in the Community published in February 2010.

At present the HSE is offering to take 25 year leases at agreed rates in Primary Care Centres which have GP involvement. GPs and health professionals entering such centres are doing so at very attractive rates which developers can only offer because of the security and value of the HSE lease. Given the current economic climate, the Government is unlikely to be in a position to make any further incentives available.