*Photograph: Joe Buckley

Plans for a primary health care centre in Sixmilebridge have been hit with a setback.

An “unforeseen issue” with the site purchase has resulted in what is expected to be a twelve month delay to the project, planning of which was first lodged in March 2019.

Situated at Ashview Drive in Sixmilebridge, the planned 1,600 square metre two-storey care centre is said to be off the table forcing the HSE to go to tender once again to locate a suitable site.

Consequently, a twelve month delay is expected but hopes have been expressed the Ashview Drive site may come back into play. A new tender process is anticipated to begin within the next five to six weeks.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) labelled the setback as “unfortunate”. “We fought very hard over the last number of years to get approval and funding for that, it was achieved. It is a setback but the really important thing is the HSE have committed to continuing with the project albeit that they have to go back to tender for a suitable site. The contract negotiations don’t seem to have concluded, it is outside everybody’s control. The really important thing is that the commitment is there from the Government and the HSE to continue with it”.

Design of a new proposed building will be dictated by the tender process, Senator Dooley explained. “Each site from a planning point of view would have to be assessed on a case by case basis, the site that was there was very suitable, it has planning permission, I can only hope that the existing site might come back into play again in some shape or form, if it does that would certainly be advantageous but if not, an alternative site will have to be found”.

Dooley said he has received “a commitment” that the project is still approved and will proceed despite the stumbling block. “It is fair to assume that it could have delayed the project by up to twelve months, the important thing is that the commitment is still there”.

Concern at the pace of which a review on the progression of the planned primary health care centre for Kilrush was recently voiced by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF). The facility was also first announced in March 2019.

Related News

Supermacs-Plaza
New legal challenge against €10m Supermac's Plaza makes 'mockery of planning system'
conor mckenna 1
'Secretaries have been papering over the cracks from Dept under-funding' - Inch principal issues support to workers on strike
mobile banking 1
Phishing scam under investigation in Ennis
pamela mccarthy scoil chríost rí 1
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
Latest News
sixmilebridge v whitegate 28-08-22 16 conor whelan
Strong finish helps Whitegate edge Bodyke in thriller
éire óg v st josephs miltown 20-08-23 gavin murray darragh mcdonagh eoin o'brien 1
Collisions on course following senior, intermediate & junior football quarter-final draws
pamela mccarthy scoil chríost rí 1
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
shannon airport giveaway 2
Shannon Airport giving away 80 flights during month of September
kilmihil v ennistymon 01-08-25 joey rouine 1
'We won't be afraid of anyone' - excitement building in Ennistymon for Clare SFC quarter-finals
Premium
'We don't want freebies, we want what we're entitled to' - school secretaries & caretakers seek pension parity
'We won't be afraid of anyone' - excitement building in Ennistymon for Clare SFC quarter-finals
Coolmeen claim last Clare IFC quarter-final spot with dramatic finish
'Hard-fought wins' for Cratloe has paved way to quarter-finals
Clare PIHC: Tulla draw knocks out Killanena, Tubber thump Parteen/Meelick & Magpies fall to another shock defeat

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.