Construction costs to blame for stalled Ballyhaunis primary care centre
Alan Dillon TD has expressed serious concerns over the slow progress of the Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis,
The delayed completion of a “vital East Mayo medical facility” has been described as “completely unacceptable” by Mayo TD, Alan Dillon, who has urged the Taoiseach to intervene and help resolve the issue.
Dillon, who is chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, has expressed serious concerns over the slow progress of the multi-million euro Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis, construction on which began in November 2019 but which has been stalled since May 2021, due to contracting issues. He has now brought the matter to the attention of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Donnelly.
The Mayo deputy says the fact the project has been on hold for more than two years is deeply concerning, particularly for members of the local community who require urgent attention.
Minister Donnelly has said that the developer is facing difficulties reaching an agreement with the subcontractors due to escalated construction costs.
“The developer has confirmed that the original rates in the lease agreement are now not economically viable due to increased construction costs from materials and trades,” Deputy Dillon explained.
“The HSE has been assessing this issue on a national basis and all options are being explored including rate uplifts, withdrawing the current agreement and re-advertising of the development. Re-advertising would permit the developer to resubmit a tender for this site at higher rates.”
The Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis was originally scheduled to be operational in the final quarter of 2021 and Deputy Dillon has urged the Taoiseach to engage with Minister Donnelly to find a swift solution and the recommencement of construction.
