Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
676. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding a primary care centre for a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37426/15]
View answerAthy is one of the 73 locations advertised by the HSE in November 2014 as suitable locations for the delivery of primary care centres using the operation lease mechanism. Currently, the HSE is engaged in evaluating all submissions received to determine which are eligible to be progressed to the next stage of the process. In this context the HSE has asked the interested parties to submit their priced offers for the location in question.
While the Government's objective is to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system the mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care infrastructure is dependent on a number of factors. Regardless of the delivery mechanism, all potential primary care infrastructure is subject to suitable locations being offered/provided/available, to successful planning processes and GP commitment to sharing accommodation and delivering health care services with HSE staff. In addition the operational lease mechanism is subject to market pressures such as the developers' access to adequate financing. Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances including the feasibility of implementation.
