I welcome the Minister of State. The matter I wish to raise relates to the commencement of work on the provision of a 20-bed primary care centre in Ballinamore, County Leitrim. This project has been under way for some time. Everything has been completed, including the planning process. I am informed by the local HSE office that officials are waiting for approval to proceed. There was a commitment to provide the centre 18 months ago but there were delays in design, planning and other matters. I would appreciate if the Minister of State could outline what progress has been made on the project, which is of tremendous importance to the people of the Ballinamore catchment area. They do not have a facility such as this other than the one in Carrick-on-Shannon, which is 20 or 25 miles away for some people. It is imperative that it be provided. It is included in the capital plan for 2006 to 2010. Can the Minister of State, on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, inform me of the up to date position with progress on this project? It is of tremendous importance to the local community. People have been waiting for it. The need for it has been outlined down the years by the HSE and, previously, by the North Western Health Board which had prioritised it. I would appreciate if that priority would ensure it is included in this year's capital programme.
Health Services
I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not viable for whatever reason, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. We will continue to develop health services around the country, wherever possible, to enhance quality provision and patient safety.
The Health Service Executive has sole operational responsibility for the delivery of health and social services. The Senator will appreciate that all developments in the health sector, including progressing capital projects, have to be addressed in the light of the current economic and budgetary pressures. The executive has been asked to rigorously examine how existing funding might be reconfigured or re-allocated to ensure maximum service provision. In particular, we need to ensure that the highest standard of care will continue to be provided to all patients in a safe and secure environment. Any decisions, therefore, taken by the executive must have regard to the current budgetary position and the current moratorium on the recruitment of nursing and non-nursing staff.
The HSE has indicated that a design team for the Ballinamore project was appointed in October 2008. Significant progress has been made to date, to the extent that planning permission, subject to conditions, was granted in late 2009. The proposed development has significant additional funding requirements, including a capital cost in the region of €6 million and an estimated revenue cost of approximately €500,000 per annum. I understand from the HSE that planning for the project incorporates: a 20 bed community hospital to include long-stay care services and palliative care services; day care services to include a social model of care with interaction activities and personal care needs; a centre to facilitate the provision of multi-disciplinary primary care services which will ultimately encompass the core multi-disciplinary team of general practitioners, public health nurses, mental health, occupational therapy, social work, chiropody, community welfare, physiotherapy, dietetic and home help services.
The key objective in primary care policy is to develop services in the community which will give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams, such as that proposed for the Ballinamore development. The HSE has indicated that it aims to have 530 primary care teams developed by 2011. This target will allow the entire population to easily access a broad range of health and personal social services through the local primary care team. There are 246 teams currently operating around the country. Approximately 200 new primary care centres are currently under consideration, following the initiation of a programme to procure centres. This involves the HSE entering into fixed term lease agreements with private providers. I understand that 187 of these locations have been approved by the HSE board to proceed with negotiations with interested parties. In addition to the six centres which have already opened this year, it is planned to open a further 26 centres before the end of the year.
The HSE expects 125 primary care centres to be delivered by 2012, supporting 160 primary care teams. In addition to these developments, the HSE is continuing to develop primary care centres, which are funded through the executive's capital allocation, and a number of these centres are at an advanced stage of development.
In light of the current financial difficulties generally, the HSE has had to reassess the projects that can be progressed within its limited capital resources and is not in a position to bring the Ballinamore facility beyond design stage this year. The possibility for commencing construction will be revisited by the HSE when finalising its capital programme for 2011, within the context of the overall demands for capital developments.
I thank the Minister for the reply. I presume the most appropriate thing to do is to pay a visit to the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, rather than ask this Minister to progress the matter when it is not his Department. However, it is accepted in the reply that we need to provide it as soon as possible. It is imperative. This is something that probably should have proceeded at a faster pace than it did. The Minister can inform his colleague, Deputy Áine Brady, that she will receive a visit shortly.
I will inform the Minister that Senator Ellis has raised the matter. He has my support on it as well. We must work together to see if we can be of assistance to the Senator for 2011.