Green Light for Long-Awaited New Ross Primary Care Centre as HSE Board Gives Final Approval

The long-awaited Primary Care Centre for New Ross has taken a major step forward, with confirmation that the development has received final approval from the HSE Board.

Chairman of New Ross Municipal District and Regional Health Forum member Councillor John Fleming has welcomed the decision describing it as hugely positive news for the town and surrounding communities.

The project had already secured approval from the HSE's Property Review Group with a preferred site and developer identified in recent weeks.

However, final HSE Board approval remained a crucial outstanding requirement before the project could progress.

Speaking to South East Radio, Councillor Fleming confirmed that the latest decision clears that approval hurdle, bringing the much-anticipated healthcare facility a significant step closer to reality.

He said the successful applicant must now complete a two-week standstill period before the project progresses to the legal and contractual stages.

Both successful and unsuccessful applicants are being formally notified of the outcome of the selection process.

Councillor Fleming indicated that the location of the preferred site could be publicly revealed following the two-week period.

However, despite the positive development, construction is not expected to begin immediately.

The legal and contractual process could take several months, while planning permission must also be secured before building work can commence.

Councillor Fleming suggested that construction may not begin until later in 2027, although no official start date has been confirmed.

He acknowledged that securing planning permission would be another important stage and expressed hope that the process would proceed without significant objections or delays.

The councillor said he had made progress on the New Ross Primary Care Centre one of his priorities since joining the Regional Health Forum, repeatedly raising the project at meetings and seeking updates from HSE officials.

He described the latest development as particularly welcome following years of uncertainty surrounding the proposed healthcare facility.

The New Ross Primary Care Centre has been awaited for years, with the proposed development expected to improve access to primary healthcare services for the town and its wider catchment area.