Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 796: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the cost to date in 2010 to the State of the public-private hospital co-location scheme and the projected continuing cost; the savings that would be made if the scheme were to be discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33808/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Renewed Programme for Government re-affirms the Government's commitment to the current co-location programme. Preferred bidders have been selected for six co-located projects.

The co-location programme is a complex public procurement process. It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the changed funding environment. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects.

There is a requirement on each of the successful bidders to pay a non-refundable deposit to the HSE on the signing of the project agreement. The intention of this requirement is to allow the HSE to recoup the expenses that it has incurred in this context.