Mayo Primary Care Centre requires speedy resolution
The delay in progress on a vital east Mayo medical facility is completely unacceptable according to Mayo TD, Deputy Alan Dillon.
He has raised the issue of the multi-million euro Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis in the Dáil on numerous occasions.
The Chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party has expressed serious concerns over the centre, construction on which began in November 2019, and has been stalled since May 2021, due to contracting issues.
Deputy Dillon said: “I have brought this serious issue to the attention of An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Donnelly and the HSE on many occasions given that the provision of the Ballyhaunis primary care centre has been on hold for over two years. This is deeply concerning for members of the local community who require urgent attention."
He recently raised this with Minister Donnelly, who informed him that the developer is facing difficulties reaching an agreement with the subcontractors due to escalated construction costs. “This delay, which I am sure is reflected in other projects, is of real concern,” said Deputy Dillon.
Deputy Dillon said, “The developer has confirmed that the original rates in the lease agreement are now not economically viable due to increased construction costs from materials and trades.
The HSE has been assessing this issue on a national basis and all options are being explored including rate uplifts, withdrawing the current agreement and re-advertising of the development. Re-advertising would permit the developer to resubmit a tender for this site at higher rates, the developer has been made aware of this possibility. Once the above assessment is concluded and agreed, a programme for recommencement to completion will be confirmed.”
“The centre was originally scheduled to be operational in the final quarter of 2021. It is of the utmost importance for the people of East Mayo and the surrounding areas that the challenges are promptly resolved, and the centre is completed and operational,” added Deputy Dillon.
He urged the Taoiseach to engage with his Cabinet colleague to find a solution to this issue. “It is vital we get swift action to ensure progress on the construction of the Ballyhaunis primary care centre,” he concluded.