Developer appointed to build primary care centre 

THE DEVELOPMENT of a primary care medical centre for Tullow has taken one step forward with the announcement by the HSE that it has appointed a builder to the project, almost 13 years after it was first mooted.

The HSE gave details at a regional meeting last week about upcoming projects for Co Carlow, including a local injuries clinic in Carlow town as well as a primary care centre in Tullow.

The HSE said it has a developer in place and that planning permission was “about to be lodged shortly”. 

A spokesperson for the HSE said it has appointed Westcourt Properties to the job, a company that has built similar centres in Kilkenny city and Thomastown. It’s believed that the site is in the Tullowbeg area near the Tesco supermarket. 

While welcoming the news, local councillors said it was frustrating that it’s taken so long to even get to this stage.

Cllr John Pender said: “The HSE sought expressions of interest years ago. This has been up in the air for years. It takes about six to seven years now to get a project done after it’s first mooted. This centre is urgently needed so the sooner it happens the better.” 

Cllr William Paton said: “We’ve been promised this since 2012, when Tullow was one of 35 areas announced for the development of primary care centres. It’s very frustrating for us. Even after the planning is lodged, it’ll be another 18 to 24 months before the building will be completed, plus they need to recruit the staff to go into it.” 

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor acknowledged that the project has been slow in getting across the line but she’s confident that progress will be made this time. 

“I have invested a lot of time in progressing this much-needed facility for the people of Tullow and surrounds. I applied maximum pressure on the ministers concerned to ensure that this primary care centre is finally realised and I will continue to do so.”