Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 692: To ask the Minister for Health his views on the use of the National Assets Management Agency buildings for the provision of primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19883/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The development of primary care is central to this Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system. The Programme for Government states that primary care will be an immediate priority area. The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary care and represents a tangible re-focusing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting.

Within the context of its commercial remit, NAMA advises that it is at all times open to proposals which can contribute to the achievement of broader social and economic objectives and has committed to giving first option to public bodies on the purchase of property which may be suitable for their purposes. The provision of primary care centres must be informed by needs analysis, with priority given to areas of urban and rural deprivation. Therefore it is important to recognise that not all NAMA controlled buildings and sites are appropriately located or suitable.

I have met with NAMA recently with a view to building on potential synergies between NAMA controlled land and property and the requirements of the health sector, not just in the area of primary care, but in other areas also. The Health Service Executive and NAMA have been engaging constructively in that regard in recent months and will continue to do so.