Jobs potential as Swinford clinic moves closer

Jobs potential as Swinford clinic moves closer


Anna-Marie Flynn

SWINFORD could be in line for scores of highly-skilled medical jobs as local entrepreneurs Ulick and Des McEvaddy’s plan to open a multi-million euro Primary Care Clinic took a significant step forward yesterday (Monday).
The proposal, which would see the private healthcare centre mirrored on the McEvaddy’s recently-opened clinic in Naas, Co Kildare, was given a boost when a meeting of Swinford Electoral Area Committee gave it a resounding endorsement.
At a meeting of the committee to discuss the Draft Area Plan, planning consultant Helen O’Keeffe told members the pair had made a submission to the plan regarding the potential use of their lands outside the town at Rathscanlon.
The Manager’s report relating to the submission stated that it is the McEvaddys intention to propose a similar clinic to that in Naas, which currently employs 43 senior medical personnel, at their 1.22ha site east of the town boundary.
While local reports of such a venture had been circulating since the beginning of the year, up until now Ulick McEvaddy had formally stated that no site had been chosen for a west of Ireland clinic, but conceded that a land bank owned by the pair in Swinford was in the running.
The McEvaddys submission to the Draft Plan is the strongest suggestion yet that the pair intend to develop the health facility in their native town. In line with this, the pair requested that the land would be given a new land use zone.
The Manager’s response to the submission stated: “The proposal will meet the clear objective highlighted in the Development Plan of encouraging the development of pharmaceutical and medical industries within Swinford town. This development would provide a number of highly-skilled jobs which in turn actively encourage people to live and work in Swinford.”
Ms O’Keeffe told councillors and officials that the proposal was ‘excellent’. “The Manager has recommended that the proposed site be designated a Land Use zoning of Community and Educational and the appropriate use of that would be the development of a Primary Care Clinic. This opportunity site would be subject to quite high standard criteria,” she said.
The McEvaddys, best known for their achievements in the aviation sector, head up care consortium Vista Primary Care. Their €20 million private clinic in Kildare, which spans 36,000 square feet, is said to have set a precedent in Irish healthcare standards.
Following an American model where there are no hospital beds, the company deals in primary care only while offering services like a diagnostics centre, fertility and obesity clinics, sports medicine, laser eye surgery, a full pharmacy service and general medical and specialist services.
The amended draft plan, including the rezoning lands will now go before the County Council next Monday and will then be published to go before the public for submission on amendments. The final step of the process will see the plan going back to the Council with a recommendation for adoption.