Councillor pushes need for Blarney primary care centre

A Cork city councillor has highlighted the need for a primary care centre for the Blarney area at a recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum South.

Fianna Fáil councillor for Cork City North West John Sheehan put forward a question at today’s meeting at Cork County Hall, asking for an update on the proposed primary care centre in Blarney.

Responding to Mr Sheehan, Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Tess O’Donovan said that the HSE were engaged with a developer for the proposed primary care centre and that Cork County Council had granted planning permission for the proposed centre.

The planning decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála who upheld the planning decision but the decision was then appealed to the High Court.

An Bord Pleanála decided not to issue a defence at the High Court, with the result that the planning permission was void, which resulted in what she described as “a significant setback” for the proposed project and the requirement to re-tender.

“I wish to confirm that these tenders have just been received back and are due to be evaluated shortly,” Ms O’Donovan said.

Mr Sheehan said that he hoped the tenders received would proceed as quickly as possible: “I’m glad to see that tenders have been received back, but given the fact that the area struggles in terms of suitable sites, just to say that I hope that that would proceed as quickly as possible because there’s certainly a need for it.”

An update was also sought on the primary care centre in Youghal by Independent councillor for East Cork Mary Linehan Foley.

Ms O’Donovan said a planning application is currently with the local authority: “Pending the outcome of the planning process, the appropriate next step will be enacted with respect to progressing same.”