Longford has ‘so much potential’ but investment ‘badly needed’, says Tánaiste

County Longford has “so much potential” but investment in public services is “badly needed”, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.

The Tánaiste was responding to a contribution made in the Dáil by his party colleague and Longford TD Micheál Carrigy.

Deputy Carrigy raised the issue of primary care centres during an ‘Other Members’ Questions’ session.

He welcomed the Government’s primary care strategy, which has resulted in the construction of over 100 primary care centres, including one in Longford town.

However, he insisted that increased investment is needed in these centres, particularly in his home county of Longford.

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Deputy Carrigy said: “Communities and local areas in Edgeworthstown, Granard, Ballymahon and the surrounding hinterland have been waiting many years for delivery of primary care centres.

“In response to parliamentary questions I submitted since being elected to the Dáil going back to January 2025, we received replies from the HSE that the planning was currently progressing through the design phase with a view to lodging for planning permission in Edgeworthstown.

“In Granard, the HSE was exploring options to purchase and proceed with a capital funded centre.

“In Ballymahon, clarifications had been sought from tender parties and tender evaluation was to take place in mid-January followed by the tender award thereafter.

“Further replies to parliamentary questions in late 2025 showed that basically everything was at a standstill.”

He requested an update on these projects and asked when they are expected to progress.

“Given the length of time these projects have been discussed and raised repeatedly by me in parliamentary questions and in the Oireachtas, can we outline what the current plan is for delivering primary care centres in these towns and their communities?

“When can we expect to hear progress on their delivery? The Edgeworthstown, Granard and Ballymahon projects are stalled with tenders submitted.

“All we get in replies now is that we are reassessing our options. These have been discussed for years.

“The people of Longford and the people of these towns deserve first-class facilities. When will I see the delivery of first-class primary care centres in the towns of Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown, Granard, their surrounding areas and more importantly their surrounding communities?”

He concluded by acknowledging the work that Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has done in providing funding for St. Joseph’s Care Centre.

In response to Deputy Carrigy, the Tánaiste said that his party colleague had raised an important issue.

Deputy Harris admitted that it was clear that Longford needed improved primary care facilities, with just one centre currently in operation in the county.

“My note here tells me that, as the Deputy told the House, there have been some issues.

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“The HSE advised a preferred developer for Edgeworthstown primary care centre last year that it would not be progressing with the project and that it was reviewing the most appropriate options to proceed with the development and conducting an overall health service needs assessment for the county as a whole.

“It is looking at the needs in Granard and Ballymahon as well. The Department of Health and the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, are currently waiting to hear back from the HSE in terms of its service needs assessment for the county.”

He emphasised that the Government is “very eager” to develop new facilities in Longford.

Deputy Harris concluded by offering to organise a meeting between the Department of Health, the HSE and Deputy Carrigy.

In response to the Tánaiste, Deputy Carrigy said he would welcome such a meeting.

He continued: “The people of Longford need first-class facilities, the same as every community in our country.

“My priority is to make sure we get those facilities in the towns of Ballymahon, Granard and Edgeworthstown.

“I would welcome an opportunity to sit down and meet that HSE team to make sure we progress and secure the funding to deliver these much-needed projects.”

Deputy Harris responded by saying that he agreed with the points made, particularly in relation to the need to develop facilities in the county.

The Tánaiste said: “I think that is right. County Longford is a county that has so much going for it and so much potential if we can put the public services in place that are badly needed.

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“I have heard what he and the people of Longford have said, particularly in relation to the need for clarity on the next steps to delivering improved primary care facilities in the county, especially in Ballymahon, Granard, Edgeworthstown and the communities and areas they serve.

“I will arrange through my office for the Deputy to have a meeting with senior HSE capital representatives.

“I will obviously link in with the Minister for Health, as I know the Deputy has been. She will be supportive of his work in this regard.”

He outlined that the Government has “significant capital” to spend in the delivery of infrastructure nationwide.

Deputy Harris concluded by adding that the main challenge facing the Government was delivering those facilities at speed.