Laois towns to receive new primary care centres but others excluded

Five Laois towns will receive new primary care centres and health care centres, following approval from the HSE.

The HSE have confirmed that Rathdowney, Mountrath, Graiguecullen, Ballylinan and Clonaslee and have been approved for new primary care centres.

Borris-in-Ossory and Durrow were also put forward for these developments, with approval denied or in need of new sites to be identified. 

Many Laois County Councillors welcomed this news, while others expressed their anger.

Rathdowney

In Rathdowney, the HSE recently initiated an Expression of Interest competition for a new Primary Care Centre in Rathdowney, and evaluations are currently ongoing. Subject to internal approvals, the HSE hope to appoint a developer for this project by end of Q1 2025.

"Rathdowney has been on the cards, it was one of the first in that group," said Fine Gael Cllr John King.

"There have been two sites identified, and I am not sure which one it will be. It's badly needed, we now have a huge population and I badly want to see the other one updated as well," he finished.

Pictured: Rathdowney Health Centre

Durrow

In Durrow, the health care centre was not included on the nationally approved list of locations for the roll out of the Primary Care Centre Programme.

"There are no plans to provide a Primary Care Centre in Durrow," HSE officials have said.

"The HSE will review the future service delivery model for the area to determine if upgrade works will be required to the existing Health Centre."

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney hailed this response as 'a slap in the face'.

"I want to express my deep disappointment with this reply," said Cllr Clooney.

"You can't even buy a lick of paint for the health centre in Durrow. The Tidy Towns committee are doing well, but this is a slap in the face. It's typical of their attitudes towards smaller towns, but we will continue on the fight. It's only the first round that is gone, and we will keep on the pressure," Cllr Clooney said.

Pictured: Durrow Health Centre

Ballylinan / Graiguecullen

A primary care centre was proposed for Ballylinan, where there were issues surrounding boundary lines between Carlow and Laois. The HSE have said that they intend to encompass Ballylinan Health Centre, The Swan health centre and Graiguecullen health centre to review the most suitable proposal to accommodate the existing population of South East Laois.

"This may involve an expansion of existing Primary Care Centre facilities in Carlow to accommodate both the Carlow requirements and Laois requirements," the HSE have said.

"In the interim, it is proposed to carry out upgrade works to Graiguecullen Health Care Centre as part of the minor capital works programme 2025."

Pictured: Graiguecullen Health Centre

Mountrath

Likewise for Mountrath, a site that was originally identified as a possible location for a new Health Centre has been ruled out due to flooding risks. However, the HSE continues to search for another viable site.

"A site owned by the Housing Authority which had previously been identified as a possible location for a new Health Centre in Mountrath has had to be ruled out due to the potential flooding risk," the HSE have said.

"The HSE are currently in the process of seeking approval to acquire another potential site for the development of a new Health Centre in Mountrath. Any development will be progressed in full compliance with BCAR and the Building Regulations incl Part M (Access & Use)."

Independent Cllr James Kelly, who originally tabled this motion, called the current health centres 'inadequate'.

"These health centres are only small bungalows," Cllr Kelly said.

"I am delighted that Rathdowney will go ahead. With the site in Mountrath, we all knew that this site was a potential flooding risk. I am hoping that the HSE can find a site in the near future," the Cllr finished.

Pictured: Mountrath Health Centre

Borris-in-Ossory

In Borris-in-Ossory, the HSE have said that they do not intend to provide a new Primary Care Centre, yet they will review the future service delivery model for the area to determine if upgrade works will be required to the existing Health Centre.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin was disappointed with this response, calling for suitable accommodations to Laois communities.

"All of these health centres are small bungalows, and they aren't suitable for the needs of these communities," Cllr Bergin said.

"Regards to Borris-in-Ossory, it is disappointing to hear that we aren't on the list for a primary care centre at the moment. But it is something Laois County Council will have to offer, because we are renovating the courthouse, so there will be rooms there available if the HSE were interested," he said.

"The current location of the health centre is not appropriate, so we will keep an eye," Cllr Bergin finished.

Pictured: Borris in Ossory Health Centre

Clonaslee

Following a title review, it has been confirmed that Clonaslee health centre is under the ownership of the HSE. The HSE will now engage with the existing GP with a view to formalising their occupancy prior to carrying out any upgrade works. Any future works are subject to internal approvals, funding and statutory compliances.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken urged Laois County Council to address the current parking issues at the centre.

"Clonaslee has been in a bad way. I have also raised a motion on the lack of parking in the area, and nothing has come from that," Cllr Bracken argued.

"Cllr McDonald has raised this as well, there are people parking on the main road. It's a trek for elderly people to have to park on the side of a busy road, when we have ample space there on the premises," he finished.

Pictured: Clonaslee Health Centre

Cllr King argued that the HSE have been difficult to liaise with, leaving many questions unanswered.

"It's very difficult to try contact them, we get no answers. We have been trying to get these for at least five to ten years, and our populations are increasing," he said.

"The HSE have to work with communities to make this happen, the locations and sites are the big thing," Cllr Kelly said.

This motion was tabled at the February sitting of the Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District of Laois County Council.