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Primary Care Centre Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Questions (262)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of the primary care building programme; the total number of such centres already in place, those planned and the schedule for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54697/13]

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Written answers

The development of primary care is central to the 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 health care. In 2012 the HSE embarked on a prioritisation exercise for Primary Care Centres. However the prioritisation process is a dynamic exercise, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.

It is the Government’s intention to develop as many primary care centres as possible using one of the following:

- direct build (by HSE);

- by way of leasing arrangements with the private sector;

- through Public Private Partnership.

Considerable progress has been made in the delivery of primary care centres and 34 centres have opened since March 2011.

Direct Build – In certain locations, the HSE will deliver primary care facilities either through refurbishment/extension of suitable properties or through new build. Since 2012, primary care infrastructure has been approved and is underway at 15 locations.

Operational lease - Significant progress has been achieved under this mechanism. Construction is underway at 6 locations and planning permission has been granted at an additional 23 locations.

PPPs - Of the 35 primary care centre locations announced under the Infrastructure Stimulus Package in July 2012, 16 locations have been identified as being suitable for the PPP model. The 16 locations are being developed by the HSE to be brought to a preliminary design and statutory planning process. It is expected that 10-14 sites (indicative number 12 based on affordability) will be delivered as part of a single PPP contract with the remaining centres to be procured by the HSE using other procurement means. While it is not possible, at this time, to give start and completion dates for any of the individual potential locations, the best estimate is that these primary care centres will be completed by late 2016.

In relation to the PCC infrastructure schedule for the future, there will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer using the direct-build mechanism. The Health Service Executive must prioritise healthcare projects including primary care infrastructure within its overall capital envelope taking into account its existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period. Future development of primary care centres will be set out in the HSE's Multi Annual Capital Plan.

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