Proposed community nursing unit in Tipperary is 'beset with delays and rising costs'

Source: Irish Independent

Cashel's proposed new Community Nursing Unit (CNU) has hit another stumbling block, according to a Tipperary TD.

Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne said he has been told of further delays and rising costs in the consideration of the Palmershill site for Cashel's Community Nursing Unit, with no guarantee that this will be the last site to be considered. Deputy Browne was speaking after requesting an update on any progress made in plans to develop a CNU in Cashel.

Deputy Browne said: "All that we can be certain of in relation to a community nursing unit in Cashel is that it continues to be beset with delays and ongoing associated costs.

"Following my latest enquiries, I have been told that we will have to wait until the end of the year to learn as to whether the land the HSE is considering at Palmers Hill will be purchased or not.

"The HSE has been engaging with Tipperary County Council on a number of factors, including access to the site, and the possible purchase of additional land in its vicinity, as well as the current zoning of the location.

"As a result, the HSE intends to make a submission as part of the upcoming review of the Local Authority's development plan for Cashel later this year. This means that a decision on the purchase of the property will not be made until after that process is concluded.

"In addition to the continued delay in the process, I am also concerned that rather than putting its efforts and finances into developing a unit in the centre of Cashel, the HSE is instead putting its money into its the Palmershill option.

"Most recently the HSE have engaged an architectural consultancy firm to 'progress the option' of developing on this site, while the HSE has acknowledged that it may need to purchase additional land at Palmershill.

"Current and projected costs are rising. Yet this is not all. The HSE have also told me that they are also examining other sites in the Cashel locality.

"So, despite the delays and the financial costs involved in the HSE's decision not to locate the CNU in the centre of Cashel, it is now far from certain that the money spent and the time wasted on Palmershill will actually result in anything, and we could be forced to witness the same process happening at another site elsewhere.

"I have always been sceptical of the HSE's preference for Palmershill, and I have always favoured being resourceful in using the sites that were previously suggested in Cashel town centre. My view on this has not changed given the latest update from the HSE," added Deputy Browne.