Laois councillor calls for compulsory purchase of vacant HSE building

A council meeting heard calls for the compulsory purchase of vacant HSE buildings for community use. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Aidan Mullins raised the issue when he asked about a former health clinic in Portarlington. 

He asked “that Laois County Council contact the HSE Property Department to determine their plans for the former Health Clinic on French Church Street in Portarlington as it has been vacant for many years.”

In response, Laois County Council’s Property and Tourism Section stated that: “The Council has contacted the Property Section of the HSE in relation to its plans for this building.  A response is awaited.”

Cllr Mullins said he had spoken to the property section of the HSE about five years ago about their plans for the building. He said they simply told him it was an asset and they hadn’t decided what they were doing with it. 

“If they intend sitting on this there is many uses it could be put to, including housing,” said Cllr Mullins.  

“There are so many groups contacting me on a regular basis looking for space to meet and operate from,” he said.  

“I don’t know is it within the remit of the council to CPO(Compulsory Purchase Order) a building like that, that is in the ownership of the HSE? Do you know Gerry?” asked Cllr Mullins. 

Director of Services Gerry Murphy explained that any CPO would have to have a purpose. He said it can be a complicated procedure and he would have to make enquiries as to how it would relate to a property in the ownership of a State body. 

“It should be treated as a derelict site anyway in the first instance,” said Cllr Mullins. 

“It is just off the Main Square. We are talking about doing public realm work and we have a derelict building owned by the HSE only 100mtrs away, I don’t think it is acceptable. I think we need answers,” he added. 

Fine Gael Cllr PJ Kelly agreed with Cllr Mullins and said the property has been lying idle for a long time. 

“I enquired about the Medical Hall in Emo as well and exactly what you have said  now applies in Emo. I have enquiries over the potential use of it for small groups. 

I too would like to see what use can be made of these buildings. They are well kept buildings and I think it is a shame to waste them basically,” said Cllr Kelly. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran suggested the building could be used to help people who are suffering from domestic abuse. 

“We are crying out for domestic abuse places in this county and maybe that area might be a good place for it,” she said.

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She said the HSE should be asked if the building could be used as a domestic abuse shelter. The issue was discussed at the latest Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting.