HSE to lodge planning application for new Offaly hospice in Tullamore

THE HSE has given notice that it intends to apply to Offaly County Council for a new specialist Palliative Care Unit in Tullamore.

The development will consist of the construction of a new hospice (3,805m2) with all associated development works including road upgrades to a portion of Arden Lane.

The new part 1-storey and 2-storey building will provide 20 inpatient bedrooms, daycare facilities and administrative areas.

There will be 80 car parking spaces for staff and visitors including 7 accessible parking bays and 30 covered bicycle parking spaces.

A two way carriageway and footpath along with street lighting will also form part of the plan at Arden Lane.

In September 2024, the 'Arden Lane' site in Tullamore was selected as the location for a new 20-bed hospice. If granted permission the new hospice will provide specialist palliative care services for the Midlands region serving Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford.

The announcement that the Arden Lane site had been chosen as the preferred location was made by the then Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

Two locations had been under consideration for the development. Offaly Hospice said their preference was the Wellwood Health campus located on a 20-acre site just off the N52 bypass.

Offaly Hospice said it chose this site because of its location near the Midland Regional Hospital with easy access to all essential medical services and support when necessary. In addition the site already has planning permission for a 99 bed hospital.

Tullamore Lions Club who have been fund raising for the hospice for many years acquired the Arden Lane site from monies raised from their ‘Hooves for Hospice’ campaign.

When making the announcement last September, the Minister said the Arden Lane land had scored highest in a competitive process run by the HSE.

At the time of the announcement the Minister stipulated that a planning application must be lodged and permission granted along with ''an agreed road widening plan and funded commitments from the relevant state bodies to bring services to the Arden Lane site,'' within 12 months.

He added that ''Should these criteria not be met, I am instructing my Department and the HSE to revert at that point to the ‘Wellwood’ site, should it still be available, as the designated site.''

MEP Barry Cowen who was then a TD expressed his concern at the decision. Speaking at the time Mr Cowen said.'' I have fought for this project and secured €20 million funding. While today it is welcome to see progress being made, I am concerned following today’s confirmation the hospice will be housed at out of town site in Arden, Tullamore.''