Public meeting to discuss Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre project

A PUBLIC meeting is taking place next week to discuss the stalled Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre project.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 20, at 8.30 p.m. in Ballyhaunis Community Hall and is organised by Aontú candidate for Mayo, Paul Lawless.

The primary care centre was due to open in 2021, providing a variety of health services, such as nursing, physiotherapy and home support.

However, the facility remains a dormant building site since then due to contracting issues.

Commented Mr. Lawless: “It is wrong that a project which is so close to completion is allowed to go into disrepair. The building is not watertight and is deteriorating due to water ingress. This will inevitably result in higher costs for the taxpayer.”

He added: “Lack of primary care in the community is already forcing people into an overcrowded Emergency Department in MUH, which can’t cope.

“I have written to the Minister for Health and the HSE stressing the importance of this project and demanding its completion asap. The lack of communication and urgency from the HSE in relation to a project of this significance is disappointing.

“Ballyhaunis cannot wait another three years. The building can not be left to go into further decline.

“I am inviting the community of Ballyhaunis to attend this public meeting to discuss the situation and build a campaign to bring a resolution urgently.”