Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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889. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a primary health care centre (details supplied) in Dublin; the timeline for its construction and completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13482/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It was intended that this primary care centre would be one of the locations to be delivered through the PPP project. While planning permission has been awarded, unfortunately this location was one of two locations which did not complete the planning process within the timeframe for inclusion in the PPP project.

Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation. While the Government's objective is to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care service the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care centres is dependent on a number of factors. Some of these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive. 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.

Future investment in healthcare infrastructure must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place. During 2017 my Department will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme.