Birr Primary Care Centre to open in first half of year

Birr Primary Care Centre is due to open in the first half of this year, Fine Gael Offaly TD John Clendennen has said, following confirmation from the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill.

In addition, the Edenderry Primary Care Centre is now progressing through the planning process, with a planning application submitted to Offaly County Council this month.

“Modern primary care centres are essential to delivering services closer to home, reducing pressure on hospitals and improving patient outcomes,” Deputy Clendennen said.

“These developments in Birr and Edenderry, alongside recent centres in Tullamore and Banagher, represent real and tangible investment in healthcare across Offaly.”

Clendennen also welcomed confirmation of significant primary care infrastructure investment in Offaly. and will allow for the consolidation of primary care and mental health services under one roof, alongside an extensive GP practice.

Deputy Clendennen said he will continue to advocate for improved access, reduced waiting times and strong primary care services that meet the needs of children, families and older people across the county.

Fine Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, has welcomed a detailed update from the Minister for Health following his recent contribution in the Dáil highlighting long waiting times for primary care and children’s therapy services across Offaly and the wider Midlands.

Deputy Clendennen said families are experiencing unacceptable delays for access to essential community-based supports, and he raised the issue to seek clarity on both staffing and infrastructure commitments.

“While waiting times can be expected in the health system, they are particularly challenging for families waiting on primary care and children’s services,” Deputy Clendennen said.

“I raised these concerns directly in the Dáil and I welcome the confirmation that a focused programme of work is now underway to tackle these waiting lists.”

Deputy Clendennen confirmed that, under a national initiative requested by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, the HSE has been directed to put measures in place to address waiting lists for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, with the programme expected to remove over 60,000 patients from waiting lists nationwide.

To ensure progress is sustained, the HSE has also received approval to recruit an additional 200 full-time equivalent posts to primary care therapy services under the National Service Plan for 2026.

Of particular relevance locally, 12 additional posts have been allocated to the Integrated Healthcare Area Midlands, including roles to address vacancies in children’s services across Offaly and Laois.

“This is a positive step and demonstrates a recognition that primary care services need to be strengthened at community level,” Deputy Clendennen said.

“Recruitment and retention will now be key, and I will continue to engage with the HSE to ensure these posts translate into real improvements for families on the ground.”