Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 568: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the building and opening of a primary care centre in Greystones, County Wicklow, intended to be located at Greystones Harbour, including timelines and projected capacity, and for the same information for the planned primary care centre in Wicklow Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29684/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The development of primary care is central to this Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system. 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-focussing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting.

Wicklow town and Greystones are two locations where the Health Service Executive proposes to deliver primary care centres through leasing arrangements with the private sector. Although the Executive has signed agreements with developers to lease part of each the development once completed, the Executive as a third party is not involved in the day to day project management. As regards Wicklow town, some progress had been made since your last question. The HSE understands that negotiations including due diligence on funding are underway. The developer has already obtained planning permission approval. I acknowledge the work that all parties, including GPs, have contributed to the progress on this centre to date. At this stage it is still too soon to say when construction will begin or when the facility will open.

The Executive has been recently informed by the developer that construction on the Greystones primary care centre will begin in September 2012. Some site enabling works are required in the interim. The Executive's best estimate for opening the facility is early 2014.