Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

632. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the primary care centres announced in 2012. [6774/14]

Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

633. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the primary care centre announced in 2012 for Tullow, County Carlow; when work will commence; and when he expects the centre to be in use. [6775/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 and 633 together.

The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. Supporting infrastructure, procured through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary health care.

Considerable progress has been made in progressing the primary care centre PPP project. Of the 35 primary care centre locations announced under the Infrastructure Stimulus Package in July 2012, 15 locations have been identified as being suitable for the PPP model. These are Ballymote; Boyle; Westport; Claremorris; Tuam; Limerick City; Dungarvan; Carrick-on-Suir; Wexford Town; Waterford City; Kilcock; Knocklyon/Rathfarnham; Crumlin/Drimnagh; Coolock/Darndale; and Summerhill, north inner city Dublin. In addition, the HSE has progressed Ballinrobe, which was not one of the original 35, as a suitable substitute. By year end 2013 the HSE had lodged 14 planning applications, details of which will be available on the relevant planning websites. The Limerick City planning application was submitted in January 2014 and it is expected that the Ballinrobe planning application will be submitted in February. It is expected that 10-14 sites (indicative number 12 based on affordability) from the above list will be delivered as part of a single PPP contract with the remaining centres to be delivered by the HSE using other procurement means. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) published a Prior Indicative Notice (PIN) / Pre-Qualification Questionnaire in the OJEU on 19 December 2013.

The location prioritisation exercise initiated by the HSE in 2012 is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation. Your question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in relation to progress on the remaining locations announced in July 2012 including Tullow / Rathvilly / Hacketstown.