HSE plans to re-tender for Ballyhaunis primary care centre
Local election candidate Alma Gallagher outside the unfinished primary care centre in Ballyhaunis.
The HSE must not walk away from the Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre as it is vital for the future healthcare of the community in the area, said local election candidate Alma Gallagher.
Ms Gallagher said the local community in Ballyhaunis and the surrounding area are already concerned about the project, with the development having gone “over 1,000 days without progress”. Although work on building the centre began in 2020, it stopped abruptly ahead at the May bank holiday weekend in 2021.
Fine Gael TD Michael Ring again raised the matter in the Dáil last week. In a response, the HSE stated:
“The Ballyhaunis project has been procured under the HSE Operational Lease model. Works remain at a standstill because 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.
"The HSE has assessed this issue on a national basis and it will be proposed to withdraw the current agreement and re-advertise the development. Re-advertising will permit the developer to resubmit a tender at higher rates and progress the development; the developer has been made aware of this. Once this process is concluded and agreed, a programme for recommencement to completion will be confirmed”.
“The Primary Care Centre for Ballyhaunis is urgently required. I will continue to raise this issue with the both the HSE and the Minister until it comes to a satisfactory conclusion," said Deputy Ring
Ms Gallagher has repeatedly highlighted the issue since she declared for election earlier this year.
“This is a vital project for Ballyhaunis and the surrounding area. It simply has to be delivered for the good of healthcare in the locality. The delays have been a source of considerable concern to the local community."
Ms Gallagher is a first-time candidate for Fine Gael, aiming to become the first woman ever elected in the Claremorris Electoral Area. She works as a manager with Clar ICH in Claremorris, where she has been involved in the delivery and management of 70 houses and the retrofitting of 4,000 homes and businesses. Based in Ballyhaunis, Alma is also an executive member of Ballyhaunis GAA, Director of Ballyhaunis Community Council and a member of the Ballyhaunis Sustainable Energy Committee (SEC).
