Derelict HSE building labelled an 'eyesore' in North Cork village

Cork County Council Housing Directorate is engaging with the HSE about purchasing a property in a North Cork village that has been idle for years. Plans for the HSE building in Ballynoe were raised at a Fermoy Municipal District meeting, with a call to apply under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme—Building and Land Acquisition Measure. The proposal aims to remove the building from HSE ownership and bring it back into use as a long-term community asset for Ballynoe and surrounding areas. The building is described as a major eyesore, and the council is urged to consider purchase and work with the community on grant funding, including the possibility of housing. Community engagement is emphasized, along with the need for the State to lead by example regarding derelict properties.

"Cork County Council Housing Directorate is currently engaging with the HSE over the possible purchase of a property which has been idle for years in a North Cork village."

"Cllr O'Leary said if the property is purchased by Cork County Council, it can be used as a long-term community asset for the village and surrounding area. "The building is one of the biggest eyesores in the MD. We are trying to deal with private property owners across the district in relation to dereliction. This is a HSE building and they are the owners. I know they put a lot of their existing portfolio up for sale and have approached different government agencies to see if they have any use for them.""

""We have to get it out of the hands of the HSE and bring it back into some use," stated Cllr O'Leary. "It is going on too long. I welcome that it is being looked at for something. If that is the process that it takes, I would take that. It is bringing the building back into use and if it is for housing, well and good. Can we consider the option of purchasing it and working with the community in terms of grant funding to bring the building into some sort of future use?""

"Aontú councillor Peter O'Donoghue who seconded the motion said: "I would have had a lot of engagement with the community in Ballynoe over this issue. What the people of Ballynoe are looking for is a facility for the community, but we are being told that it is housing that Cork County Council are looking at. "The State has a huge number of derelict properties nationally, so the State has to practice what it preaches. It must lead by example."

Read at Irish Independent