A Laois town that was promised a new health centre in 2021 has now been told that redevelopments will go ahead on the existing site.

In 2021, Mountrath was allocated €340,000 for the development of a new health centre. In February of 2025, an additional €250,000 was allocated to fund a feasibility study for a new primary care centre in the town.

Despite these plans, 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 confirmed with the Leinster Express / Laois Live that they will go ahead with these refurbishments on the existing health centre, despite their previous decision.

Pictured: Mountrath health centre. Photo: Google maps

"Following a review of the service requirements of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mountrath, Co Laois, a redevelopment of the existing site including an extension and refurbishment of the existing building is possible and will accommodate the service needs and requirements," the HSE responded to our query.

"The new plans will allow for a continuation of services for the duration of the works. The initial plan on the Mountrath site involved extensive works to the existing facility.

"During the design process it was established that a ‘Right of Way’ existed through the site restricting development which meant the large redevelopment was not feasible," the representative said.

"A review of potential sites within the Mountrath area was then undertaken but due to the review of the service requirements, a smaller extension and refurbishment of the existing building is possible. This revised option leaves the ‘Right of Way’ unaffected.

"Future works are subject to internal approvals followed by regulatory and planning approvals. The HSE is currently in the process of revising the capital submission to progress this redevelopment," the statement finished.

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

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 said.

"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.

Mountrath Independent Cllr James Kelly welcomed this news.

"After all the false alarms from different national politicians on different sites, I am delighted that finally there will be a refurbishment," Cllr Kelly told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"I would hope that they would look at the possibility of some land behind it, and I am delighted it is going to happen. Since 1980, members of my family have been working in the health centre, my sister still works there. I am a patient myself anof the health centre myself, and it's very cramped," he said.

"Space in the waiting area was reduced as a third office was built to accommodate another doctor, and though parking there is minimal, I have never received any complaints about parking.

"I am hoping that the HSE will put in a proper facility, we have 15 or 16 estates in Mountrath alone, and people from neighbouring towns such as Castetown, Camross, Ballyfin and Trumera all come into Mountrath. If we can get the refurbishment as soon as possible, it would be great for both the town and the people," Cllr Kelly finished.

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