Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
96. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the roll out of the promised 20 primary care centres at different locations across the State; the number and details of the additional primary care centres that are being provided by direct capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22557/13]
View answerApproximately 20 of the 35 primary care centres locations announced under the infrastructure stimulus package in July 2012 will be offered to the market subject to a) agreement between the local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement in the centres and b) site suitability and availability.
The HSE is working with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) as required to progress the Primary Care Centre Public Private Partnership project. The NDFA as a centre of expertise will be responsible for the delivery of the PPP project on behalf of the HSE, including the management of the procurement phase and the provision of financial advice including a Value for Money assessment. It has been reviewing the processes involved in procurement of PPP projects with a view to streamlining the process and delivering projects more quickly. The preparatory work for the primary care centre project which precedes the signing of any PPP agreements is well underway.
While it is not possible, at this time, to give start and completion dates for any of the individual 20 potential locations, the best estimate is that these primary care centres will be completed by late 2016.
The Minister for Health has approved the HSE's Capital Plan 2013-2017. The consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform is awaited after which the HSE will publish the details on its website.
