Ballyhaunis primary care centre development to be re-advertised

THE development of the incomplete Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre is to be re-advertised, according to HSE.

A long-running dispute between the HSE and the contractor involved has taken a turn after the HSE confirmed that the current agreement would be withdrawn and re-advertised.

No work has taken place on the facility since May 2021 since Sharpdale Ltd ceased construction as the project was ‘not economically viable due to increased construction costs from materials and trades’.

The facility, as well as numerous other primary care centres built in recent years, was to be delivered through the so-called ‘operational lease model’.

Such a model sees the HSE enter an agreement with a developer to build a primary care centre, which the HSE then leases for a fixed period.

In a statement issued to Michael Ring, TD, the HSE said that work on the project was still ‘at a standstill’ due to increased construction costs.

“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,” the HSE stated.

“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.”

Deputy Ring, who has raised the issue in the Dáil on a number of occasions, said that the primary care centre was ‘urgently required’.

“I will continue to raise this issue with both the HSE and the Minister until it comes to a satisfactory conclusion,” the long-serving Fine Gael TD added.