Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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658. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the use of the private sector to deliver the new Galway city west primary care centre at Seamus Quirke Road; his views on whether this will offer the best value for money to the State; the reasoning behind the decision to lease a privately owned building for this project; how it offers savings to the State when compared with purchasing a property for this purpose, given the briefing document for the project which that the project claims the procurement has been competitively sourced and, based on the proposed lease terms to be agreed, provides the HSE value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6781/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A central objective of the Programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services to enable a “home first” approach.

Primary Care Centres play an essential role in the delivery of that objective and significant progress has been made in the delivery of these centres nationally. These centres support the delivery of integrated care by facilitating closer coordination and cooperation between health professionals from across different disciplines. They also provide a single point of access to services for the individual and can serve as a resource more broadly for the community.

The operational lease model is often the preferred model for developing primary care centres as it has the potential to offer better value for money and enable streamlined delivery of projects.

Under the model, the Health Service Executive (HSE) enters into fixed term leases with developers for locations selected for the provision of primary care centres. The HSE identifies the locations requiring Primary Care Centre and invites interested parties to express their interest in providing suitable accommodation by way of public notice in national and/or local press.

The developer provides the completed facility and has responsibility for maintaining it. The HSE pays annual rent and service charges and operates the facility. The lease term is often 15-20 years and after the expiration of this period, the facility reverts to ownership by the landlord.

As the HSE holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with further information regarding the specific Primary Care Centre mentioned.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the refurbishment, refitting and extension of the Castlebellingham health centre to a new primary care centre; the total expected cost of the project; the list of services that will be provided in the new premises; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6782/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.