Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

641. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the primary care list of 35 centres published in 2012; the cost to date; the estimated time of completion; and the estimated total completion cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14898/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Primary care infrastructure at thirteen of the 35 locations will be delivered using the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism. These are Coolock / Darndale - Dublin north city; Summerhill, north inner city Dublin; Kilcock; Wexford Town; Waterford City; Dungarvan; Carrick-on-Suir; Limerick City – Ballinacurra/Weston; Tuam; Boyle; Ballymote; Claremorris, and Westport. The HSE included Ballinrobe as a suitable substitute for PPP. Considerable progress has been made in developing this project. Planning permission has been awarded at all locations. The pre-selected bidders submitted their tender documentation in early February. These tenders are being assessed and evaluated. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2016 and it is expected that the primary care infrastructure will be delivered by early 2017. As the tender process is still underway it is not possible, for reasons of commercial sensitivity, to set out the total estimated total completion cost of this project. Crumlin/Drimnagh and Knocklyon/Rathfarnham recently completed the planning process but not within the timeframe to be included in the PPP project.

As regards the remaining locations, the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.

The following locations have been included in the HSE Capital Plans to be delivered by direct/own-build - Rathdrum; Tullow/Rathvilly/Hacketstown; Dungloe; Laytown/Bettystown and Rowlagh/North Clondalkin.

Kells is to be delivered by the operational lease mechanism and the HSE's NSP 2015 indicates that its construction will be completed later this year. The operational lease mechanism is also the preferred delivery option for the following locations - Drogheda north; Balbriggan, Swords and Tralee.

In its November 2014 advertisement for primary care infrastructure to be delivered by the operational lease mechanism the HSE advertised the following locations - Carrickmacross; Kilkenny city; Cork city for Togher; Clonmel; Thurles; Ennis; Gort and Ballaghadereen. The closing date for receipt of Expressions of Interest was mid-January 2015. Currently, the HSE is reviewing all Expressions of Interest received to determine which are suitable for more detailed consideration and progression to the next stage of the process.

The following parts of your question have been referred to the HSE for direct reply:

- The costs incurred to date on the 14 PPP locations;

- The costs incurred to date for the remaining locations and where possible estimated total completion costs.

If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office who will follow up.