Work to finally start on Owenacurra mental health centre in East Cork

Construction is set to begin at the Owenacurra Mental Health Centre in Midleton this month, despite the HSE saying two years ago that it aimed to have the centre opened by March of this year.

The centre provided long-stay residential mental health care until its closure in 2023, but now a new ten-bed facility is to be built to replace it. However, its construction, planned for the start of 2024, is yet to begin.

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide campaigned against the closure since it was announced by the HSE in 2021, and in April 2023 he left the Green Party, citing the closure of the centre as his reason for doing so. At the time he said the closure would cause “serious harm to a very vulnerable group of people”.

A HSE spokesperson told Mr Quaide last week: “The project is currently progressing in two aspects. The main project is currently at design stage which is being updated to take account of learnings following recent flood events in Midleton.

“The updated design includes raised floor levels, ramp access, and other flood resilience elements. 

"In parallel with design of the main works our intention is to progress with an enabling works contract in advance of the main works contract.

“The enabling works element of the project has been tendered and the tender returns are being reviewed, following completion of the which approval to award a contract will be sought. 

"It is currently anticipated that the enabling works construction will commence on-site in July 2025.” 

A previous parliamentary question response in July 2023, seen by The Echo, outlined: “a goal of commencing building in Quarter 1 2024, with a view to completion of the unit by Q1 2025, followed by a six to eight week transition period prior to occupation.” 

Earlier this year, the HSE told Mr Quaide it was expected that construction will commence on site in June 2025.

He told The Echo:

“The repeated pushing out of the timeline for construction of this essential service is very disappointing. We have now far exceeded the proposed completion time of the project.

“The failure of the HSE to provide back-up residential service provision in East Cork has meant that service users beyond the six Owenacurra Centre residents they have accommodated locally will have been dislocated from their community to settings in other parts of the county.”