Four years on from the allocation of €340,000 to provide a Laois town with a new health centre, the HSE have spent this time changing plans and searching for a suitable site.

In 2022, the HSE deemed the current Mountrath health centre on Link Road 'too small' and 'unfit for necessary works' that come with expansion, and intended to build a new health centre on a different site.

However, the HSE has now confirmed that they will go ahead with these refurbishments on the existing health centre, despite their previous decision.

The HSE has explored three potential sites in Mountrath for the development of a health centre, and has rejected each site.

Independent Republican Brian Stanley TD has expressed outrage at this announcement.

Pictured: Deputy Brian Stanley outside the Mountrath health centre

In March of 2023, the HSE property section stated that they 'could not expand or upgrade the existing health centre on the Link Road' as there are 'two right of ways going through the HSE site'.

Deputy Stanley alleges that in 2022, the HSE told him that "any relocation would have to be a leased building and in the absence of an alternative site, no alternative viable sites were identified”. 

A site in ownership of Laois County Council located on the Portlaoise road was identified as suitable, with the HSE pursing this site from 2022 to 2023. 

A site on the Castletown road was also considered for a period of time, before subsequently being ruled out by the HSE.

"A third site that I was approached in relation to, and which would have more than catered for the Health Centre, substantial parking, and is very accessible to the town centre, was also offered and most likely would have come at a very reasonable price, this has also been rejected," Deputy Stanley alleges.

"With all three sites having now been turned down, incredibly the HSE are now reverting to the extension and refurbishment of the existing Health Centre on the Link Road! They say they are “now completing the relevant forms for the Department of Health to have that approved”," the Deputy claimed.

"This is despite the fact that the HSE deemed this to be impossible over three years ago. I have now contacted the HSE Chief Bernard Gloucester to request that the provision of a proper health centre for Mountrath town and surrounding areas be progressed without further delay," Deputy Stanley finished.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live have contacted the HSE for comment.

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