Alternative sites for primary care centre in Blarney now being discussed

Fine Gael’s health spokesperson has reiterated the importance of delivering a primary care centre in Blarney to cater for its growing population, following “a significant setback” on the proposed project.

Cork North Central TD Colm Burke recently submitted a parliamentary question to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly asking for an up-to-date position in respect of the delivery of the centre.

In response, the head of service of primary care at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH), Priscilla Lynch, said the HSE is considering its options following “a significant setback for the proposed project”.

“The HSE were engaged with a developer for this proposed primary care centre, and Cork County Council had granted planning permission for the proposed centre,” she said.

“The planning decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála, who upheld the planning decision; however, this decision was then appealed to the High Court.

“An Bord Pleanála have decided not to issue a defence at the High Court with the result that the planning permission will be void, resulting in a significant setback for the proposed project.

“As per update in December 2023, HSE is considering its options.”

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Burke highlighted the advantages of having a primary care centre in the Blarney area, the population of which, he said, has grown significantly over the last 15 years.

“We opened a new primary care centre in Ballincollig recently and it has a whole range of services there,” he said.

“We really need a primary care centre for Blarney and Glanmire. Then, you could actually farm out some of the services that are currently inside in CUH or inside in the city centre out to both Blarney and Glanmire, as well as having GP services, psychiatric services, elderly care, and people working in that area of social services, and having it all in one base.”

He said that some alternative options for the delivery of a primary care centre in the Blarney area are being discussed.

“With Blarney, we have run into problems with planning,” he said.

“There is a new proposal for Blarney, and I understand the HSE is talking to someone else about an alternative site.

“There is also a proposal going in for Blarney in the next couple of months in relation to the development of 2,500 houses, and the developers have agreed to give serious consideration to including a primary care centre; but that will go through the planning process, which will take quite a bit of time.

“So, there may very well be two proposals going forward in Blarney at this stage, but I would hope that we could see progress on that.”

Last September, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare confirmed to The Echo that after a lengthy appeals process which was part of the statutory planning permission process for the proposed primary care centre in Blarney, the planning application made by the developer would not be granted.

A spokesperson said that the HSE was conducting a review of the available options for the proposed centre, and that it would be in contact with the developer to outline its position on advancing the development once the review was complete.