Ring rages over stalled Primary Care Centre
Deputy Ring has slammed the lack of progress on the project.
Deputy Michael raised the issue of the lack of progress on Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre during a Dáil debate this morning.
Deputy Michael Ring took the Department of Health to task during the exchanges
“It is not acceptable that full and comprehensive information has not been forthcoming in relation to this issue. Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre was due to be completed in October 2020 yet works are at a complete standstill since 2021. Ballyhaunis and the surrounding community urgently require a fully operational Primary Care Centre”.
“Four Primary Care Centres were promised when James Reilly was Minister for Health. All of them were delivered except the one for Ballyhaunis,” said the Mayo TD.
He said the community are being stonewalled when answers are sought.
“Local election candidate, Alma Gallagher, has been consistently pushing this matter for the past year. She has been trying in vain to get answers from the HSE but to no avail. She has raised this issue with me also”.
Minister of State Colm Burke responded to Deputy Ring’s concerns.
“The Department is aware that construction on Ballyhaunis primary care centre has been stalled for a considerable time. As the Deputy outlined, it was to be completed in 2020 or 2021. The Department is aware of the frustration this has caused the people of the town.
"Unfortunately, the preferred provider of the new primary care centre in Ballyhaunis has indicated a potential issue regarding the viability of the project. Subsequently, engagement has taken place between the HSE and the developer to understand the nature and extent of the issue. However, should the preferred provider be unable to proceed, the HSE has reassured the Minister that it will be exploring all options to deliver a new primary care centre in the area,” he stated.
Deputy Ring said there is a lack of urgency being shown.
“I stressed to Minister of State Burke how disappointed I am with this response. I want there to be the same urgency with this work as there was for the National Children's Hospital in Dublin. In that case, the Government stepped in and had to renegotiate with the builders. I care about the people of Ballyhaunis and the primary medical care centre. I do not feel there is an urgency from the Department concerning this project. In fact, there is no urgency. When it cannot even respond to questions about it, it is not taking much interest in this matter”.
“I asked the Minister of State to go back to the Department today. I want clearer dates. I want to know if the Department is sitting down with the contractor or if it is going to get a new contractor. All I want to know is when this job will start again and when the contract will be completed in Ballyhaunis. Nothing in this response has satisfied me that anything is happening. Let us get another builder in there and get this centre completed”.
