Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current position regarding the development of new primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57016/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Progress is being made in the delivery of primary care centres. Primary care infrastructure is being delivered using three initiatives which are - direct build, the leasing initiative, and the PPP initiative announced in July 2012.

The Capital Plan 2012-2016 - year 2012 has been approved and contains provision for the delivery of eight primary care centres. The HSE has begun the procurement of design teams for Cork City (St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital campus) Finglas, Corduff, Grangegorman, and Monaghan Town (Monaghan General Hospital campus). At this time, given the project size, the HSE best estimate for completion is late 2014. The Ballinamore project is at tender stage and its estimated completion date is Q1 2014. The Manorhamilton project is expected to be completed by end Q1 2013. The Sligo Town facility will be located at Nazareth House; this project is expected to commence in 2013 and its completion date is estimated at 2014.

Using the leasing initiative the HSE has delivered primary care infrastructure at 29 locations. The HSE is continuing its collaboration with the private sector to progress suitable locations. Information on locations progressing will be published in the Executive's 2013 National Service Plan.

The current position with regard to the PPP initiative for primary care infrastructure, the current position is that the HSE is engaging with the NDFA as required to progress the 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 HSE has commenced the procurement of design teams and technical advisors to progress the design and planning submissions for the primary care centre sites and the preparation of the PPP procurement documents. Up to 20 of the 35 locations announced will be offered to the market subject to a) agreement between the local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement in the centres and b) site suitability and availability. While it is not possible, at this time, to give start and completion dates for any of the individual 20 potential locations, it is expected that these primary care centres will be completed in 2016.

Work is underway on the Executive's multi-annual Capital Plan 2013-2017. The draft Plan will be submitted to my Department in due course. My Department will then review the proposals and follow up with the HSE where further details may be required. The draft Capital Plan 2013-2017 will require my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.