Plans for new base for specialist eye clinic in Laois given green light

The HSE has been granted planning permission to provide an Ophthalmology Unit at Portlaoise Family Resource Centre. 

An application was lodged with Laois County Council for a change of use at the Centre in Knockmay to provide a new Ophthalmology Unit consisting of a nurses administration room, three Clinical Consulting Rooms and an  Ophthalmological Dark Room. The location of the proposed change of use in the existing HSE accommodation is to the north of the existing building at ground floor level.

The application was granted with four conditions attached. This included conditions that the development must be carried out in accordance with the plans submitted to the Council as well as the use of the premises. 

The Neighbourhood Centre was originally constructed as part of the Knockmay Regeneration Scheme. The original application was submitted in 2008, including a community centre/ workshop facility, drop in facilities, Multi-Agency offices and meeting rooms, HSE office accommodation, technology room, youth internet café, restaurant and café, preschool facilities, childcare facilities, afterschool club, a convenience/ retail unit and on-site parking.

Earlier this year Laois TD Brian Stanley welcomed confirmation that the specialist eye services would be transferred back to Laois.  

Dep Stanley said in June: “Following my most recent engagement with the Minister for Health on this matter, I have received confirmation that the Outreach Eye Clinic will now be provided in Portlaoise Hospital and that a location has been identified in Portlaoise for transferring full Ophthalmology Services (Eye) back to the county. Funding has also been approved for a Consultant Ophthalmologist post."

He described it as a welcome development. 

“A number of Constituents contacted me on an ongoing basis about the distance they have to travel to Athlone since the services were relocated there. This caused the most severe problem for residents in the south and east of the county, such as Errill, Rathdowney, Crettyard and Graiguecullen. In the absence of Public Transport, attending the clinic is very difficult,’’ he said. 

Dep Stanley said the HSE has confirmed that planning and associated works are expected to be completed late 2024/early 2025.