Construction of new Primary Care Centre in Offaly due to commence in March

THERE has been a broad welcome for the announcement from the HSE on Monday that construction of the new Birr Primary Care Centre is due to commence in March.

It is expected that construction will take about a year and a half and it is hoped that the new centre will be up and running early in 2026.

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan welcomed confirmation from Mr Joseph Ruane Head of Service Primary Care CHO8, that construction is set to commence in March.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after Mr Ruane also confirmed to her that there is an expected construction duration of approximately 18 months followed by commissioning and equipping. The Birr Primary Care Centre is expected to be operational from Q1 2026.

“This is excellent news, and I am delighted that at long last we have a start date for the construction of this badly needed service for Birr and the surrounding areas,” said Deputy Nolan.

“I am still engaging with the Chief Officer of the Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation, and the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to ensure that staffing positions for the new Primary Care Centre (PCC) in Birr are filled prior to its anticipated opening in Q1 2026.

“We are all aware of the recruitment and retention crisis within the HSE and that is why I remain concerned because the Birr Primary Care Centre is also expected to cater for Speech & Language Therapy in addition to Public Health, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dental and Mental Health services.

“I have been working continuously on this issue since 2021 to ensure that Birr and the surrounding communities get the Primary Care Centre they deserve,” Deputy Nolan concluded.

Cllr Clare Claffey also welcomed the news that the long awaited primary care centre for Birr will commence construction in March.

"I'm delighted it's finally starting and I look forward to keeping pressure on the HSE to ensure all required services are provided including access to adequate GP services for the population," she said.

And she hoped it would prompt the return of the MIDOC service to the town.

Cllr Claffey (Social Democrat) called on the HSE to ensure that the development of the site goes ahead without any further delay.

“I’m delighted with the news, but we need to ensure the rapid delivery of this vital service for the people of Birr.

“I'm looking forward to working with the HSE to also ensure that the MIDOC service, which was withdrawn from Birr before I was elected, is eventually returned to the town.

“I have a commitment in writing from management that there will be space in the new centre for a MIDOC service if (and when) it's restored,” she stated.

Cllr Peter Ormond also welcomed the announcement. The decision was outlined in an email to all Public Representatives on Monday evening with the expected construction duration of approximately 18 months followed by commissioning and equipping.

“It is nearly 12 months since the Planning Permission was granted and today’s announcement represents another significant milestone in the process as the project moves to the construction stage,” he stated.

The Primary Care Centre located at Railway Road, Seffin, Birr Road, Seffin, will allow for services that are accessible and integrated. According to Cllr Ormond, the new Primary Care Centre will include General Practitioner Service, Public Health, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Dental, Mental Health Services, all of which are currently provided in different locations in the town. The facility when opened will allow for a team of health professionals to work closely together to meet the needs of the people living in Birr and surrounding areas and provide a single point of contact to the health system. The site will also be home for the ambulance services and that base will be constructed adjacent to the primary care centre.

Fianna Fail local election candidate Audrey Hennessy Kennedy also welcomed the announcement and stated that “we are very fortunate in the Birr environs to have excellent healthcare staff providing a primary care service and this new centre will allow them to work together in one location and share resources.”

Barry Cowen, TD also welcomed the announcement on Monday evening and paid tribute to all concerned. Deputy Cowen stated that he had been engaging with Minister Donnelly’s Office, the HSE, the local Community along with local representatives, Cllr Eamon Dooley and Cllr Peter Ormond to ensure that this project remained to the forefront. “In the last four years, there has been positive progress in the provision of health services and this development represents another step for the people of Birr and surrounding areas. Many people are benefiting from greater and faster access to healthcare and this new Primary Care Centre in Birr will allow for our healthcare services and staff to be in one building. It will complement the services already provided in Birr Community Nursing Unit,” he said.

Deputy Cowen stated that he invited Minister Donnelly to visit Tullamore Primary Care Centre last March and they both saw first-hand the benefits of having a Primary Care Centre and the important role they play in the provision of services.

“Minister Donnelly visited Tullamore again last Friday and I reiterated the importance and urgency that Birr Primary Care proceeding as soon as possible. I will continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that the all necessary services and personnel are in place in the new Primary Centre when construction is complete,” he added.

Speaking on the announcement, Sinn Fein candidate, Sean Maher said " This is a welcome announcement for the people of Birr and surrounding area. We have waited a long time for this development to commence and finally we will soon have the shovels in the ground. We have been calling for this centre to mitigate against the transfer of MiDoc service to Tullamore. The project will take two years to complete and will become operational in the first quarter of 2016".

Former Cllr, Maher said "The priority for now is to get this project moving. Once finished, it will be our priority to ensure that the services promised are enacted upon. I have spoken to my Sinn Fein colleagues on the matter and they have assured me that a Sinn Fein led Government will prioritise health services for the Birr area".