Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
1068. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the reasoning and criteria used to change the proposed primary health care centre for Rowlagh, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, from being a publically funded development to being a public private partnership project; the timeframe for this project indicating the range of services that will be available in this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47981/12]
View answerThe consideration of projects for inclusion in the multi-annual capital programme is an evolving process. There are always more construction projects than can be funded from the Exchequer's capital health care allocation. The Health Service Executive is required to prioritise infrastructure projects within its overall capital envelope taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs of completion over the period.
It is understood that the Deputy, in asserting that a PCC was to be delivered in Rowlagh by way of the HSE’s capital programme, may be referring to lists reported in the media. It is important to state that these lists related to work that was ongoing; that they were work in progress. The prioritisation exercise is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation.
An assessment/evaluation of each proposed primary care centre location was undertaken with the infrastructural requirement evaluated under three headings: deprivation index, service priority and accommodation assessment. The selection of a delivery mechanism was not, however, solely dependent on the resultant priority or ranking. The delivery mechanism selected for each location was based on suitability and the availability of funding (insofar as it is known at any point in time). The following considerations were taken into account:
-Agreements for lease in place - where there were good prospects of the leased centre being delivered - these locations remained as lease strategy;
-The size of the centre - the larger centres are more attractive to PPP bidders;
-Extensions to existing facilities or refurbishment of existing buildings are not suitable projects for PPP.
The change in the delivery method for a potential PCC in Rowlagh/North Clondalkin was on the advice of the Head of Estates in the HSE, as PPP was considered to be the most expeditious method by which progress in this development could commence.
The method and time scale for the delivery of PCCs is dependent on a number of factors and the list will continue to be reviewed and revised as necessary. It is envisaged that approximately 20 of the 35 potential locations published as part of the Government's Infrastructure Stimulus Package will be progressed by way of PPP. The current position is that the HSE is engaging with the NDFA as required to progress the Primary Care Centre Public Private Partnership Programme. The HSE is currently analysing the available sites in each location and engaging with the GPs in each location to determine their interest in participating in the primary care centre development. It is not possible, at this time, to give start and completion dates for any of the 20 potential locations.
