Concern over delay in promised Midleton mental health facility

Works on a new residential mental health unit on the site of the former Owenacurra centre in Midleton are set to begin this year. However, the HSE has said the progress on the project is still subject to the availability of funding.

A HSE South West spokesperson told The Echo: “Since January 2026, the enabling works phase of this project have been completed and we are currently working through the detailed design and costings for the next phase of these works. It is anticipated that the main construction works will commence in 2026.”

They added: “On completion of the detailed design and review of same, the overall budget can be confirmed. The project is currently within budget for the works completed to-date. Once the project design has completed and aligned with the infrastructure guidelines, the project will progress subject to the availability of funding.”

Social Democrat TD Liam Quaide said that the response “did not inspire confidence”, and that former HSE CEO Bernard Gloster had given a commitment that a new facility would be developed on the existing site.

This following a long campaign by residents following a decision in 2021 to close the service.

“Planning permission for the new development was granted in February 2024. Yet for prolonged periods afterwards, there was little or no visible activity on site,” said Mr Quaide.

“This is a substantial site in the centre of Midleton. It has been left to decay in public view since it was vacated in October 2023. Demolition of the previous facility only finally began in August 2025, after media focus on the lack of progress.

“The HSE now says enabling works have been completed and that main construction is ‘anticipated’ to commence in 2026. But it also says the project will progress subject to the availability of funding. That caveat is worrying.”