Updated plan will see ambulance service and Holy Angels based at Kelvin Grove
The Holy Angels pre-school project will go ahead as planned on the Kelvin Grove site Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
THE HSE has taken the decision to revise its plans for the Kelvin Grove site and is now separating the new pre-school for Holy Angels Day Care Centre and the Children Disability Network Team (CDNT). Initially, both projects were to be located at Kelvin Grove, Athy Road, Carlow, but in recent weeks the decision was taken to upgrade St Dympna’s Hospital to accommodate the CDNT, while the Holy Angel’s project will progress as planned on the Kelvin Grove site.
The overall project also includes the refurbishment of Kelvin Grove House as a new National Ambulance Service base.
At a recent meeting of the Health Forum Executive South, Carlow member cllr Fergal Browne asked for a detailed update on plans for the Kelvin Grove site.
The HSE stated that HSE Capital and Estates, in conjunction with a number of services, is reviewing options within the current development control plans for the remainder of the Kelvin Grove site.
“A meeting took place on 18 March 2025 between Capital and Estates, Disability Services and the Holy Angels and a decision was made to revise the project to separate Holy Angels and the CDNT into two separate projects. St Dympna’s will be upgraded to accommodate the CDNT and the Holy Angels school will progress as planned on the Kelvin Grove site,” the HSE stated.
“The schedule of accommodation is being reviewed and is expected to be finalised in the next few weeks. Once this schedule is agreed, the design team will then translate this to a new design layout and advise on an overall cost,” the HSE confirmed, adding that “this project is a priority for the HSE and is included on the current HSE capital plan”.
The HSE also confirmed that it is working with the National Ambulance Service and is in the process of engaging a design team for the development of a new ambulance base on the Kelvin Grove site. It is anticipated that the design team will be appointed in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Due to the national procurement rules, a new framework for the engagement of design teams is required. The process had proven to be extremely challenging,” the HSE stated.
“Following the above appointment, the project programme and key dates will be agreed with the service and circulated. This project is a priority for the HSE and is included in the current HSE capital plan.”
