New Ross Primary Care Centre delayed again

Irish Independent

09-05-2025

Last month local Independent councillor, Michael Sheehan, expressed his discontent after hearing from developers who have expressed their interest in the tender for the new facility, they hadn't received any acknowledgement nor confirmation of their submissions. However, in response to this, the HSE issued a statement to the New Ross Standard which read 'there is no obligation or requirement for interested parties to formally express an interest in the project. Furthermore, no acknowledgment is circulated to any potential developer – at this stage.'
This is in reference to the Prior Information Notice (PIN), which is used to provide public awareness that a new Primary Care Centre is expected to be formally advertised under a new public procurement process on the e-Tender Platform.
The advertisement stage was 'expected' to be publicised in quarter two of this year, according to Dr Sinéad Reynolds, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager with the HSE, which was said during a Regional Health Forum meeting in March 2025.
However, in recent days the HSE confirmed that there is a delay in the tender process, adding the advertisement stage will be published 'in due course', which is understood to be the third quarter of 2025.
The next stage involves a two-step procurement process; where step one utilises a Suitability Assessment Questionnaire involving an extensive assessment of the tender returns. The HSE clarified that it will be subsequent to this that 'tenderers which are deemed suitable are shortlisted and the developers are then invited to the next stage of the competition, which is a full tender'.
To facilitate the re-advertisement of the Primary Care Centre, a full review of the current and future service needs was undertaken with relevant stakeholders. There are a number of stakeholders and services who require accommodation in the new proposed Primary Care Centre in New Ross and a scope is being identified based on all updated service requirements and a Schedule of Accommodation is being finalised. The HSE expects this process to be concluded in quarter two of this year.
The HSE said they will then be in a position to progress with the advertisement on E-Tenders Procurement Platform, which will be no earlier than July 2025.