Mayo councillor questions why HSE let contactor to 'down tools' on primary care centre

A Mayo councillor has expressed concern that the contractor involved in the building of the Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre was allowed to 'down tools' during the summer in order to arrange finances to complete the project.

Work on the Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre unexpectedly came to a halt in May and the site remained inactive until recently when work recommenced.

Ballyhaunis-based Fine Gael councillor Alma Gallagher raised the matter at the meeting of the HSE Regional Health Forum West where she was informed that the recent stoppage was a combination of the traditional two weeks builders’ holidays and to facilitate the developer putting the finances in place to finish out the project.

Construction on the Ballyhaunis Primary Care Center had originally stalled in mid-2021 after the project was no longer economically viable for the developer, Sharpdale Ltd. The HSE entered negotiations with the developer last year and the project subsequently resumed before May's stoppage

Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West told the meeting that the likelihood of further 'hiccups' in the delivery of the project was slim and the primary care centre should be built by the end of the year and in use by the start of next summer.

READ: ‘Don't be afraid to put your hand up and ask for help' in Mayo

Cllr Gallagher welcomed the response but still expressed concern that work was allowed to stop and felt raised 'red flags' regarding the delivery of such projects.

“There was great joy and satisfaction when we saw a full return to site but that full return did not last very long in fairness and again productivity stopped during the summer months. The answer I got back was to facilitate the contractor with the financials and accrue those essential finances in order to complete the project.

“You would imagine all would be done and completed before he came back to the table and engaged by the HSE again. This is an operational lease agreement and I think above any project we can really see the red flags. If contractors are allowed to down tools on site in the middle of a contract and commitment to the HSE it is really leaving communities and towns like Ballyhaunis in limbo.

Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West said he was hopeful project will be completed before the end of the year

“Where is the accountability from the contractor to the HSE? He is facilitated basically to down tools for two or three months to find the finances once again especially when there is engagement with other contracts through the HSE. There are questions that need to be answered.

“While I appreciate the response and there is activity on site at the moment, I want to express serious concern on how operational lease agreements like Ballyhaunis are allowed to take five years to be completed,” said the Fine Gael councillor.

Mr Canavan acknowledged to Cllr Gallagher that from a HSE perspective the Ballyhaunis project has been a very difficult process.

“We have remained focused on trying to deliver the primary care centre which we know is needed in Ballyhaunis and do that in the quickest and most effective way possible in the context of things being as difficult.

“I think everyone understands there were significant difficulties associated with this project. Given where we are at, the likelihood of any other hiccups between now and the end of the year is very slim and we would be very hopeful that this is the last deadline,” he said.

Cllr Gallagher pointed out that she had been informed in September 2024 that the construction work would be completed in May 2025 and this is why the delays were being met with frustration in the east Mayo town.

“This building has remained idle and half built for nearly five years now to the extent that the local children have to go to a different county for dental services and all essential health services like speech and language and Occupational Therapy are being delivered outside the town and in different counties. It is very concerning that it is continuously missing deadlines,” she said.