Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2010
37 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the decisions that have been made regarding the construction of a new Central Mental Hospital; if funding is available for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6993/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt had been intended to locate the new Central Mental Hospital (CMH) at Thornton Hall, Co. Dublin; however it has been ascertained that the site proposed for the development of the new hospital is not large enough to accommodate an Intellectual Disability Forensic Mental Health Unit and a Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health unit, the need for which has been identified by the HSE. The question of the relocation of the CMH to an alternative site is currently under consideration. In the context of discussions regarding the Capital Programme for Budget 2010 it was agreed that alternative financing models would be explored for the development of the new CMH.
38 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the reports she has received regarding the co-located private hospitals that have received planning permission and their intentions to proceed to construction; if her Department or the Department of Finance has completed cost benefit analysis on proceeding with these hospitals at this stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6980/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewed Programme for Government re-affirms the Government's commitment to the current co-location programme. Preferred bidders have been selected for six co-located projects at Beaumont, Cork University, Limerick Regional, St James's, Sligo and Waterford Regional Hospitals. Project agreements have been signed for the Beaumont, Cork, Limerick and St James's projects. Planning permission has been granted for these latter four projects. The co-location programme is a complex public procurement process. It is a matter for each successful bidder to arrange its finance under the terms of the relevant Project Agreement. The co-location initiative, like other major projects, has to deal with the changed funding environment. The HSE is continuing to work with the successful bidders to provide whatever assistance it can to help them advance the projects.
The HSE is required to undertake a rigorous value for money assessment of each co-location project. Projects, in order to proceed, must meet a rigorous value for money test which accords with a Public Sector Benchmark. This test is then verified by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) which acts as advisor to the Department of Health and Children. The HSE and NDFA have confirmed that the tenders received for the six projects where preferred bidders have been selected accorded with the Public Sector Benchmark. As they proceed the projects must continue to demonstrate value for money.
