Public meeting over delayed Ballyhaunis medical centre
The site of the Hazelhill Primary Care Centre, Ballyhaunis. Pic: Paul Lawless
An Aontú local election candidate has organised a public meeting for tomorrow night (Wednesday) to discuss ongoing concerns over the delayed primary care centre in Ballyhaunis.
Paul Lawless, who is running in the Claremorris local electoral area, said the Hazelhill Primary Care Centre was due to open in 2021 and provide a variety of healthcare services, but due to a dispute over costs arising from construction inflation, it remains a dormant site since 2021.
“It is wrong a project so close to competition is allowed to go into disrepair," he said. "The building is not watertight and is deteriorating due to water ingress. This will inevitably result in higher costs for the taxpayer.
“Lack of primary care in the community is already forcing people into the overcrowded Emergency Department in MUH which can’t cope.
Mr Lawless said Ballyhaunis cannot continue to wait for this service to be delivered and he has written to the Department of Health urging the completion of the project.
“I have written to the Minister for Health and the HSE stressing the importance of this project and demanding its completion as soon as possible. The lack of communication and urgency from the HSE in relation to a project of this significance is disappointing,” he said. “The developer walked off site almost three years ago. Ballyhaunis cannot wait another three years. The building cannot be left to go into further decline. Ballyhaunis deserves better.”
A public meeting will be held in Ballyhaunis Community Hall on Wednesday, March 20th, at 8.30pm.
