Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2018
199. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the development of 80 new direct build primary care facilities; the amount spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2512/18]
View answer200. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the development of 80 new public private partnership, PPP, primary care facilities; the amount spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2513/18]
View answer201. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the development of 80 new operational leasing primary care facilities; the amount spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 201, inclusive, together.
Delivery of primary care infrastructure is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. Considerable progress has been made in delivering primary care centres. There are three different methods of delivery: direct build, operational lease, and public private partnership. The mechanism and timescale for delivery of primary care centres are dependent on a number of factors. Some of these factors are outside the control of the Health Service Executive. 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.
Over 106 primary care centres are already operational, of which 63 have opened since 2011. There are 35 locations at which primary care infrastructure is under construction or at an advanced planning or design stage under the three different methods of delivery. Of these, 14 are by the Public Private Partnership programme, 11 are by operational lease and 10 are by direct build. A further 47 locations are at an early planning stage.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care projects, the Executive has been requested to reply to you in relation to expenditure incurred to date on this project.
