Dundalk's planned primary care centre will not be operational until 2028

News that Dundalk’s long-awaited primary care centre, due to be built at the site of the old Carroll Village Shopping Centre, will not be operational until the 2028, has been revealed by Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

The Dundalk TD received a response from the HSE last week that outlined the updated position on the development of the primary care centre in the town.

The HSE said: “The HSE intend to deliver Dundalk Primary Care facility via the HSE’s Operational Lease mechanism. The project is fully approved and the HSE have entered into a legal agreement to lease the facility on delivery by the Preferred Provider. 

“The project is progressing through the detail design stage and there are ongoing engagements between the HSE Capital and Estates, HSE Service managers and the developers Design Team to agree the final details of the design. 

“This design stage is expected to be completed by the end of November. The most recent Programme, provided by developer, indicates works Commencement Q1 2026 and operational Q2 2028. 

“Services to be provided will be GP services, together with a wide range of services such as Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health and Disability day services”.

Deputy Ó Murchú said the project, which has been mooted for nearly ten years, has been ‘dogged by delays’. He said: “Planning permission was applied for in 2022, there were legal issues that frustrated the timelines at this stage but final planning permission was granted in the summer of 2024 and there were government TDs announcing after the election last year that construction would begin in February 2025, but that has not happened.

“I don’t know why the HSE says the design stage will not be completed until next month – what has been happening since final permission was granted in the summer of last year? This project cannot be delayed any longer”.