A new road connecting with the existing road (pictured, centre, back) between the County Arms Hotel and the Birr Outdoor Education Centre, off the roundabout, will be built as part of the proposed development of the primary care centre.

Nolan's 'concern' over Birr Primary Care centre delays

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Chief Officer of the HSE’s Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation, Des O’Flynn, has confirmed to Independent TD Carol Nolan that while a planning application was submitted to Offaly County Council in the third quarter 2022 for the new Primary Care Centre in Birr, the developer is currently working through ‘clarification requests from Offaly County Council.’

Deputy Nolan had engaged with the HSE as part of her ongoing effort to have work on the project escalated and delivered as soon as possible:

“I am concerned by this latest status update from the HSE, as it had previously assured me that the new Primary Care Centre in Birr would become operational in quarter two of 2023. Now I am being told that the HSE hopes for a positive decision from Offaly County Council at some point in quarter one of this year,” said Deputy Nolan.

“I understand the need for clarity, and I appreciate that the Council must perform due diligence but this is really dragging on at this point especially when you consider that the HSE Board gave their approval for the development as far back as November of 2021.”

“Birr and the surrounding towns and communities need access to the Public Health, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Allied Teams Facilities, Dental and Mental Health services that the Centre will provide.”

“I will continue my engagement with the HSE and indeed Offaly County Council to ensure that this can happen as expeditiously as possible,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

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