The identification, prioritisation and provision of health centres to meet the health and personal social service needs of local communities are matters for the health boards or the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA. Prior to proceeding with the development of such facilities, there are, however, a number of requirements that need to be satisfied. Of fundamental importance in informing a decision to allow a health board or the ERHA to proceed with a particular development is the availability of sufficient funding to meet the full cost involved. Additionally, all health boards and agencies are required to follow the Department's guidance documentation for capital projects, together with national and EU capital procurement procedures. It is a requirement, in the first instance, for the health agency involved to submit to the Department project details for agreement such as assessment of need, option appraisal, design brief, cost estimates and cash flow projections.
The former Eastern Health Board and its successors, the ERHA and the Northern Area Health Board, NAHB, in conjunction with Ballymun Regeneration Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dublin City Council, established for the purpose of advancing the regeneration of the area, proceeded with the development of the project to hand involving a new health centre and community care headquarters as part of the new civic office development which was to be the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Ballymun town centre. The project was pursued with neither the involvement nor approval of my Department.
My Department recently met the ERHA and NAHB in respect of this project, following which the latter recently submitted further documentation regarding various aspects of the proposal. This material is being examined by my Department which will continue to work with the ERHA and the NAHB with a view to resolving outstanding issues and progressing this project at the earliest opportunity.
