HSE hoping to have site acquired for Ballaghaderreen's long awaited primary care centre by the end of the year.
The HSE is hoping a site can be acquired for the long awaited primary care centre in Ballaghaderreen by the end of the year.
The HSE is hoping a site can be acquired for the long awaited primary care centre in Ballaghaderreen by the end of the year.
At this afternoon’s meeting of the HSE West Regional Health, the issue was raised by Cllrs Sean Moylan and Valerie Duffy, who both sought an update from the HSE.
In response, the HSE said that the site evaluation and assessment had concluded and a preferred site has been identified.
“This recommendation has been submitted to the HSE property review group seeking approvals to proceed to negotiations with the site owner,” the HSE said. “The HSE will be able to give indicative timelines once approvals are received. The aim would be to have a site acquired before the end of 2026 subject to a positive outcome from the negotiations with the landowner.”
Cllr Moylan asked the HSE for details on the preferred site. He also asked would the development be a direct HSE-build or follow “the failed operational lease model”.
“I am hoping that this will be a direct build by the HSE,” he said. He asked whether the plans from the former planned development were available, suggesting that they would speed up the project.
“The HSE has been found to have failed the people of Ballaghaderreen, West Roscommon and East Mayo on this,” he said. He added that Roscommon County Council would act quickly if new planning permission was required. “Year on year, it is getting worse and worse for the people of Ballaghaderreen. We need to get some movement. This is a vital piece of infrastructure.”
Cllr Duffy said that the development was needed for the town, and also asked when it would be built.
Integrated healthcare area manager, Galway and Roscommon Ms Ann Cosgrove said that she was not aware of the site as her colleagues in HSE Estates were dealing with it. She also indicated that planning permission would have to be examined for the specific site. She assumed that it was a HSE build but promised to revert with confirmation.
Ms Cosgrove added the site acquisition approval could take a number of weeks, but would be a “milestone” for the project. She could not say what the timeline would be for the project, as the design would have to be appropriate to the location. Ms Cosgrove said she would speak to her colleagues in HSE Estates.
The project was first announced more than a decade ago in 2012 by the then government, and it subsequently received planning permission in 2021. In early 2025, the plans derailed when it emerged that the developer had withdrawn from the project. Following this, in December 2025, the HSE sought expressions of interest for suitable development sites or lands of 1.5 to 3.5 acres in the North Roscommon town.
On Monday Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane said that senior HSE management confirmed that Ballaghaderreen was a HSE priority for a primary care centre at a meeting last week. “I raised the long promised primary care centre for Ballaghaderreen and the many delays that have meant it's now 14 years since it was first promised,” she said. “Ballaghaderreen is one of the only towns in the county without such a health facility.
“I have been assured that Ballaghaderreen is a priority for a primary care centre and we should expect further progress this year.
“I welcome this but as I always say on this matter, investment in the building of such a centre is welcome but we have to see services in it.
“Both GPs in the town are under significant pressure. We need to build community healthcare in Ballaghaderreen and make it accessible to everyone in the town and surrounding areas.
“I will be keeping a very close eye on this project," said Deputy Kerrane.
