Front row Integrated Health Area Manager, Cork South and West Ms Priscilla Lynch, Chairperson Cllr Finbarr Harrington, Director of Communications and Public Affairs Mr Jonathan Hoare with Marie Moloney Kerry County Council, Margaret McDonnell Cork City Council, John Sheehan Cork City Council, Pat Hayes Cork County Council, Dominic Finn Cork County Council, Ann Bambury Cork County Council, Peter Horgan Cork City Council, Ann Marie Ahern Cork County Council, pictured at the first meeting of the new Regional Health Forum (RHF) South West. Photo: Gerard McCarthy Photography

Blarney Primary Care Centre is set for 2028

Liudmyla Bortok

Published: Wed 8 Oct 2025, 1:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Oct 2025, 1:09 PM

The long-awaited primary care centre in Blarney has faced major delays after a previous planning decision was overturned by the High Court. The HSE now expects the new centre to open towards the end of 2028.

Earlier, An Coimisiún Pleanála decided not to contest a High Court challenge to the plans, which set the project back to the start. The HSE had been working with a developer on the new health centre, which was originally granted planning permission by Cork County Council. That permission was appealed by a third party to An Coimisiún Pleanála, which sided with the council and allowed the project to proceed.

However, when the case reached the High Court, An Coimisiún Pleanála chose not to defend the original planning permission. The court then ruled the permission invalid, forcing the HSE to restart the tender process.

Daniel Clifford, Assistant National Director of HSE Capital & Estates South West, said that process is now nearly complete. New planning approval will be needed before construction and fit-out can begin.

“Blarney is a growing area, with new housing and communities developing rapidly, but there’s still a real shortage of infrastructure,” said Fianna Fáil City Councillor John Sheehan, who requested the update from the HSE.

“2028 would be a great target — it might seem ambitious,” he added.

“We’re putting considerable effort into accelerating the process for Blarney, especially after the previous setback. We recognise it’s an area in real need of essential infrastructure,” said Priscilla Lynch, Integrated Health Area Manager, Cork South and West.

The new plan for the primary care centre in Blarney was announced at the first meeting of the newly formed Regional Health Forum South West, held last week at Cork County Hall.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.