Answered on June 27, 2013
Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the massive increases in commercial rates due to be levied on businesses in County Waterford on foot of a statutory revaluation of commercial rates in Waterford city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply from Minister Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, the national revaluation programme aims to provide up-to-date valuations for individual properties across all economic sectors that are subject to local authority rates. The revaluation process is the mechanism whereby economic changes that take place in the property market are reflected in the valuation lists for rates purposes and in individual ratepayers’ rates liabilities. The national revaluation programme is a priority for Government and is a feature of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. The programme is particularly important given the significant changes that have occurred in rental values following the economic downturn of recent years. The purpose of a revaluation is to distribute commercial rates liabilities more equitably among ratepayers based on up-to-date values. Following revaluation, there will be a much closer relationship between rental value and commercial rates liability. Even though property values have fallen generally, given that the purpose is to redistribute the overall rates liability, some ratepayers will obtain a reduction while others will experience an increase from the process of redistribution but, overall, revaluation results in a fairer distribution of the rates burden.

Tuesday, 22 January 2012
Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the process regarding the provision of new primary care centres; and if Dungarvan, County Waterford will be designated as one of the first ten centres to be put out to tender.
  
Written reply received from Deputy James Reilly: Progress is being made in the delivery of primary care centres. Primary care infrastructure is being delivered using three mechanisms which are: public private partnership, operational lease and direct build.

With regard to the PPP process, the current position is that the HSE is engaging with the NDFA to progress the programme. The Executive is currently analysing the available sites in each location and engaging with the GPs in each location to determine their interest in participating in the primary care centre development. 

Also it has commenced the procurement of design teams and technical advisors to progress the designs and planning submissions and the preparation of the PPP procurement documents. Up to 20 of the 35 locations announced will be offered to the market subject to a) agreement between the local GPs and the HSE on active local GP involvement in the centres and b) site suitability and availability. Using the operational lease mechanism the HSE has delivered primary care infrastructure at 30 locations and is continuing its collaboration with the private sector to progress suitable locations. 

The Capital Plan 2012-2016: Year 2012 has been approved and contains provision for the delivery of eight primary care centres. Work is underway on the Executive's multi-annual Capital Plan 2013-2017. My Department is reviewing the proposals and following up with the HSE where further details may be required. The draft Capital Plan 2013-2017 will require my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.