Massive blow as County Roscommon Primary Care Centre project runs aground

Plans for the long-awaited Primary Care Centre in Ballaghaderreen have suffered a massive blow with the unexpected revelation that the developer is no longer involved.

According to the HSE, a lease agreement was signed with the developer in late 2024 but the company failed to submit the "required documentation within the required timelines".

The HSE has revealed that the developer has since confirmed "they were not in a position to progress with construction of the project”.

“As such, a new tender competition will be necessary to progress the project further," it said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Moylan, a member of the Regional Health Forum, received the response from the HSE after seeking an update on the project, which was first mooted for the town back in 2012.

Last October, a HSE spokesperson outlined to the Herald that discussions were taking place with the developer “regarding the construction commencement and programme for the delivery of the Primary Care Centre in Ballaghaderreen.” 

Roscommon senator Gareth Scahill, a former member of the Regional Health Forum, described the news as very disappointing.

“This news and the resulting delay are very disappointing for the wider community in Ballaghaderreen, a community promised so much that has failed to materialise in recent years.

“The Primary Care Centre in Ballaghaderreen was one of the projects myself and my colleagues on Roscommon County Council, Cllr Sean Moylan and Cllr Emer Kelly, were pressing for progress on.

“Sean took the lead on this as it was his Municipal District, but Cllr Kelly and I were in full support of the need to deliver this for Ballaghaderreen.

“I will be raising this delay with the minister and within the Seanad, and will work with the other public representatives to ensure any delay is minimal,” Senator Scahill said.

Cllr Moylan also expressed his disappointment. “I am very disappointed with the news that this much needed primary care centre has yet again been delayed. The people of Ballaghaderreen have been waiting for 15 years for this centre.

“The town’s population has increased by 60% in the past seven years, yet there is only two GPs in Ballaghaderreen at the moment. I will work hard on this with my colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Martin Daly.

“Senator Gareth Scahill worked on this with me and he is going to discuss this with the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill,” said Cllr Moylan.

The planned development on the Convent Road in the town was due to see the replacement and demolition of the existing single-storey medical centre, and the construction of a new two-storey Primary Care Centre.

The new facility was due to incorporate a GP suite, a dispensing pharmacy, and other medical services over an approximate floor area of more than 13,300sq ft.