Former health centre site removed from HSE disposal list

The Ballygar Health Centre building site could now be used as a potential location for disability services, a HSE West Regional Health Forum has been told.

The HSE said it is reviewing the future use of the now derelict site. Previously, the HSE said it had planned to sell the building, which was destroyed by a fire in February 2021, but the site has now been removed from its disposal list.

Regarding the disposal of the St Brigid’s Campus in Ballinasloe, the HSE said it is making good progress and is hoping to be in a position to go to market early in 2026.

The HSE said it has been engaging with Galway County Council in relation to the derelict site notice and has shared an architectural heritage assessment report with the council to inform discussions on how to address the buildings on the campus.

“Both parties are aiming to meet on site before the end of the year to agree on a planned approach to interim remedial works,” it said.

The comments were made in response to a question by Galway County Councillor Alan Harney.

Cllr Harney said as the current building in Ballygar is fire-damaged, he expects it will be demolished and replaced.

“If that is going to be done, I would appreciate if that could be done without delay,” he said. “It’s a significant eye sore there in the centre of Ballygar.” He expressed disappointment at the timeframe for disposal of some lots of the St Brigid’s Campus, saying it was “slippage from where we were previously”.

“It isn’t very welcome,” he said, and asked that this be progressed as soon as possible. He added that there was interest within the community around purchasing some of the lands and buildings.

“I would ask that we could do that because I wouldn’t like to see us putting community interests against private commercial interests on the market,” he continued.

He reiterated that it is “very serious” that the HSE is not in compliance with protected structures legislation.

“Yet I haven’t seen any action to stabilise these structures and secure them,” he said. “I would like to see those works take place immediately. I don’t want to see these buildings deteriorate any further.” 

Regarding the Ballygar site, assistant national director for HSE Capital & Estates, Niall Colleary said that the situation is still under review.

“But we would be looking at demolishing the building that’s there currently,” he said. “The site is very appropriate.” He added that that process might conclude before the end of this year or early next year.

On St Brigid’s, Mr Colleary said he was hopeful it would be available to go on the market within the first three months of 2026, and he acknowledged it had been a difficult process.