A “Red letter day” for Tuam was how one TD described the beginning of construction works on the Old Grove hospital site in the centre of the north Galway town.
On Monday, Carey Developments began work which will see the site transformed into a mental health day hospital, and which will also accommodate the disability services. Construction is expected to take 18 months, with the building operational in 2023. The cost of the project is €13 million.
The building has been empty since the Bons Secours closed the hospital in October 2000. Subsequently the building and site was purchased by the HSE.
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The development has been welcomed by Independent Galway East TD, Sean Canney, who called it “a major boost in the provision of health services for Tuam and North Galway”.
“I want to acknowledge all who campaigned over the years for this day,” he said, “former Minister for Health Simon Harris and former Minister for Disabilities and Tuam native, Finian McGrath, both of whom visited the site and supported my campaign to bring this project to reality. I also acknowledge the professional approach of HSE technical staff.”
