Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
873 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has received from the Health Service Executive the report on the assessment of accommodation which would inform the development of a plan for the construction of primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35449/12]
View answerThe development of primary care is central to this Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health system. The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary care and represents a tangible re-focussing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting.
I have received the HSE Accommodation Needs Report for Primary Care and it has been considered by my Department. As a review of the infrastructure already in place and required, it provides one of the basis from which to further develop primary care infrastructure.
Today's announcement of additional primary care infrastructure to be delivered by PPP demonstrates the Government's commitment to the delivery of health care in a community setting. The primary care infrastructure model offers a good fit for public private partnership financing. This Public Private Partnership initiative will complement and build on the processes HSE has already in place in its capital programme.
The Exchequer will continue to fund the delivery of Primary Care Centres in deprived urban areas, small rural towns and isolated areas.
