Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will detail the exact criteria which were used to identify the 35 priority primary care centres announced as part of the stimulus package on 17 July 2012; if he will detail the process which led to this decision; the criteria which was used by the Health Service Executive to draw up the original long list of some 200 potential locations; if he will provide both lists and in rank order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41144/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the full list of 200 primary care centres identified following analysis of current and future needs for primary care centres throughout the State and referred to in a publication (details supplied); the order in which those centres appeared in the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41201/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 211 together.

In 2012 the HSE embarked on a prioritisation exercise for Primary Care Centres. In some locations the HSE had advanced discussions with developers and GPs regarding leasing premises in the area for primary care and this was deemed the most appropriate method for delivering these centres. A number of other high priority locations were selected for direct investment by the HSE using exchequer funds from the HSE’s capital allocation. The remaining locations were then considered for development by way of PPPas part of the Government’s stimulus package.

Three criteria used for selecting the Primary Care Centres for PPPs were as follows:-

- The deprivation index for the catchment population of the centre.

- The service priority identified by each integrated service area and or the local health office; and

- An accommodation assessment which assessed accommodation available for the primary care team within the catchment area, the quality of the accommodation, and whether or not the accommodation was spread over more than one building.

Additional criteria applied in adding locations to the list for consideration were as follows:-

- Competition

- GP Cooperation, GP to population ratio and cost effective GP buy-in

- Existing health facilities

- Pressures on services, particularly acute services

- Funding options, including exchequer funded (HSE) build or lease, and

- Implementability of a PPP.

PPP is one of three methods of delivery being considered by the HSE for the purpose of developing primary care centres; lease and exchequer-funded HSE builds are also under consideration. The list of thirty-five potential locations refers to those that may be progressed by way of PPP; it is envisaged that twenty of these locations will be progressed by this means. The HSE is currently engaging with the NDFA as required to progress the Primary Care Centre element of the Government’s Public Private Partnership Programme. The HSE is currently analysing the available sites in each location and engaging with the GPs in each location to determine their interest in participating in the primary care centre development.

The list of 200 locations referred to in media reports represented the situation at a given point in time. However, the prioritisation exercise is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. There are more than two hundred locations under consideration for progression and the list of locations requires further work and objective analysis by my Department and the HSE, particularly with regard to the feasibility of implementation. Accordingly, it is not proposed to publish the list at this time.

The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A

It is understood that the list to which the Deputy refers is the list of 35 potential locations for primary care centres to be delivered by way of PPP as part of the Government's Infrastructure Stimulus Package. The list of 35 primary care centres was in fact made publicly available by way of press release on the day of the Government's announcement of the package, on 17 July 2012. I have issued the press release to Deputy Ó Caoláin directly.

The list of 35 Primary Care Centres is as follows:

- Balbriggan

- Ballaghadereen

- Ballymote, Co Sligo

- Boyle, Co Roscommon

- Carrickmacross

- Carrick-on-Suir

- Claremorris

- Clonmel

- Coolock

- Cork City (Togher)

- Crumlin/Drimnagh

- Darndale

- Donegal Town

- Drogheda North

- Dublin Inner City (Summerhill)

- Dungarvan

- Dungloe, Co Donegal

- Ennis

- Gort

-Kells

- Kilcock

- Kilkenny

- Knocklyon/Rathfarnham

- Laytown/Bettystown

- Limerick City

- Rathdrum, Co Wicklow

- Rowlagh/North Clondalkin

- Swords

- Thurles

- Tralee

- Tuam

- Tullow/Rathvilly (East Carlow)

- Waterford City

- Westport

- Wexford Town

I should add that the list of 35 potential locations, from which it is envisaged that approximately 20 will be progressed under the first phase of the programme, was not published in any particular order (other than alphabetical). There was no ranking conferred on any of the 35 potential locations for PPP.