Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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404. To ask the Minister for Health if he will liaise with Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Health Service Executive on establishing a feasibility study for future uses for the old hospital in Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry which has been unoccupied for about five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45861/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a protocol for the disposal of surplus property assets. This protocol sets out three options.

1. Does a State Agency require the property?

2. Open market sale, subject to favourable market conditions.

3. Community/voluntary use will be considered only if points 1 and 2 above do not materialise.

Any proposals for the property in question to must be considered in the context of the capital funding available to Health and the Government's Reform Plan relating to the State's property asset use and management. In this context, I must advise you that the Health Service Executive is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. These proceeds will be re-invested in delivering much needed health care infrastructure. As there will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer facilities which support the delivery of core health services must be prioritised within the context of the overall capital envelope available to us. Given the limited funding available and our health infrastructure needs, priority for funding must be based on verified service needs and all capital funding must be directed to supporting these core services. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet health care needs now and in the future.

In addition consideration must be given to the Government's Reform Plan which sets out commitments relating to property asset use and management. These commitments include ensuring that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio. The development and implementation of the Property Management Delivery Plan has been one of the outcomes of the reform process. This plan aims to improve the planning and management of the public service property portfolio by improving co-ordination of strategies and activities, processes for strategic planning, projects and property management, standards for accommodation fit-out and data capture, accountability for decision making and deployment of resources.

The HSE has engaged locally on the potential use of the property for historical, heritage and cultural purposes; the proposal sought was not submitted. It has also engaged with the private sector with the view to sale. Údarás na Gaeltachta has made contact with the local HSE Estates Office and a meeting is being arranged. HSE officials will meet their representatives early in the new year.