By Dan Walsh
Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-Wexford Deputy Brian Brennan requested “an update on behalf of the people of Gorey on the new ambulance station and the primary healthcare centre”, with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in Dail Éireann yesterday (Friday) and the outcome appears to be ‘positive’.
Deputy Brennan said; “Gorey is one of the fastest-growing towns in Ireland. Come summertime, an extra 40,000 people move in between Courtown, Castletown, Ballymoney and these areas. We just do not have the medical infrastructure to cater for these people.
“We feel the primary healthcare centre has been pushed down the line. The current module is not fit for purpose. The ambulance staff are dedicated professionals but currently operate from a prefab building. This is simply not acceptable in 2025. The people of Gorey really deserve an update on both of those issues, added Deputy Brennan.
In reply, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said; “I know he (Deputy Brennan) has been a very strong advocate for the Gorey primary care centre, the need for which has been well identified. A tender process has been undertaken. As he is aware, a preferred provider had been selected, with a letter of intent issued in 2019. Unfortunately, that selected preferred provider encountered difficulties regarding economic viability resulting in the collapse of the process in 2024.
“To facilitate the readvertisement of this primary care centre, a full review was taken with relevant stakeholders. A number of stakeholders require accommodation in that centre and a scope has been established. That review is now complete, and a tender process is under way.
“The stage 1 tender advertisement was published on 24 June 2025. Stage 1 expressions of interest were received and evaluated, and letters have now issued to all parties. The readvertisement and retender process for the project are necessary under the procurement rules.
“On the ambulance service, HSE capital and estates, in collaboration with the National Ambulance Service, has identified and agreed a suitable facility for use as an NAS ambulance base and is in the process of securing approval to purchase same, subject to planning approval being obtained.
“The facility will require capital investment to fit it out as a purpose-built ambulance base. The NAS and HSE capital and estates have completed the necessary documentation to facilitate the progression of the project in Quarter 4 of 2025.
“The HSE is working to appoint a design team in this quarter, with the aim of developing and submitting a planning application in early 2026 to progress the project. Those are two important updates for Gorey,” concluded Minister Carroll MacNeill.
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