Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
884. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding in place for a primary care centre (details supplied) which will now be built at an alternative site to that announced a number of years ago; and if this funding is sufficient to complete the project. [37155/17]
View answer886. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a primary care centre first announced in 2013 for Monaghan town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 884 and 886 together.
The HSE has advised that the design team is currently completing the Detailed Design stage.
Future investment in healthcare infrastructure, including this project, must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place. As there will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer, capital funding is not ring-fenced by project in order to ensure that the HSE has flexibility within its capital allocation in the event that one or more of the hundreds of construction projects underway at any time do not progress as scheduled. This enables the HSE to leverage its capital allocation efficiently, so that it delivers the maximum number of priority projects for the funding available.
