HSE now promise to fast track project.

The HSE have confirmed to Deirdre Clune TD that almost €3 million was spent on the project to build a new Health Centre in Carrigaline before it was shelved last year. They have also promised the local Fine Gael TD that project will be fast tracked under the public private partnership.

It is very disappointing that after spending almost €3 million on the plan to build a new Health Centre in Carrigaline such little progress has been made.

Planning permission was received from Cork County Council for the development in November 2008 but the project was cancelled after Aprils 2009’s Budget cutbacks.

For a number of years it has been accepted that the current Carrigaline Health Centre is unsuitable for the population that it serves and a new building is required.

The HSE has written to me to confirm that in December 2004 they spent €2.68 million on the purchase of the former ESB offices in Carrigaline as a site for a new health centre. There is now no guarantee that this site will be used and the new Health Centre may be located elsewhere.

A further €150,000 was spent on other project costs including:
Project Overhaeads € 14,200
Design Teams Fees €109,698
Site Geotechnical Investigation € 21,118
Planning Application € 4,100

This has been a terrible waste of time and taxpayer’s money with nothing to show for it.

The HSE has now moved the project into their Public Private Partnership Programme. They have committed to fast track the project and on Friday, 23rd January will formally seek expressions of interest from auctioneers and developers.

I am glad to see that the HSE has now committed to making the Carrigaline Health Centre a priority and look forward to seeing progress on this matter.