West Mayo councillors fear for Westport convent project due to increasing costs

Westport councillors have expressed their fears that the development of the Westport convent site will not get the 'green light' as it is estimated the cost of the project has doubled in price.

The regeneration of the former Convent of Mercy building in Westport was expected to cost in the region of €13 million but a meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District heard fears that the real cost may be double that.

The tenders for the project were forwarded to the Department of Rural and Community Development for approval at the end of 2024 but no timeframe was given on when the department is expected to give a decision.

Westport-based councillors Brendan Mulroy and Peter Flynn both raised their concerns regarding the future of the project at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District.

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Fianna Fáil councillor Brendan Mulroy expressed his concern regarding the increased cost of the project and wondered if it would get approval.

“This should have been done and dusted years ago and the cost of this project is way out and my fear is it is going to be put into the background and forgotten about because of the costs. We are reliant on the department to come back with funding on this and it is substantial funding and my fear is it might not happen,” he said.

Cllr Flynn described as 'criminal' the delays in progressing the project after €9 million in funding for the development of the convent was announced in April 2021.

“There are others in the executive of Mayo County Council who sat on this for way too long and now my understanding is the cost of this project has doubled in price.

“If it was the private sector I can tell you heads would roll. There is no way that someone would not be held accountable for what was allowed to happen with this project. What has happened over the last three years is criminal.

“You hear about the waste of taxpayers money but this is just another example and unfortunately if this project is rejected there is every chance we will have a derelict site in Westport permanently," the Fine Gael councillor said.

The regeneration of the former Convent of Mercy building in Westport will see the development of a new library, council offices, community rooms and social services headquarters while permission has also been granted for 18 'Age Friendly' apartments in the old church and sacristy.

Cllr Flynn added that 18 homes are also at stake with the project and this should be at the forefront of people's minds to get it over the line.

Ballina-based Mayo TD Dara Calleary is the current Minister for Rural and Community Development and Cllr Mulroy said it was imperative pressure is applied to get the project approved.

“If this is a negative this will be a dark day for Westport. That proposal has been there for the last number of years. This is our last chance saloon if this falls down, that site will be an indictment on the west Mayo municipal area,” he said.

When asked if the council officials believed the project would be approved, Seamus Ó Mongáin, Head of the Municipal District said he was optimistic.