Hectare of Ratoath land purchased 20 years ago still lying idle

A PRIME tract of land, close to the centre of Ratoath, which was bought by the HSE in 2002 for €100,000 has been lying idle ever since.

Now furious local councillors are demanding the HSE transfer the land to Meath County Council to be used for either social housing or a playground.

Cllr Nick Killian said the council wrote to the HSE a number of years ago looking to purchase the land, but the HSE indicated it would be holding onto it.

“That land has been lying idle for 20 years – what a waste of taxpayers' money.

“I am disgusted at the way it has been lying there. It has been 20 years of empty promises by the HSE – not even a decent promise to do something in partnership with Meath County Council.

“They don't even cut the grass. The field is now dilapidated and in bad condition – it even affected the marking of our Tidy Towns report.

“The HSE obviously have no interest in Ratoath – a town of 11,000 resident and no public health services.

“They would not treat Navan, Kells or Trim in this manner. Well, we are now calling for action. Use it or lose it,” he said.

Cllr Killian said Ratoath badly needs social housing and a playground and the land in question would be ideal.

“I am a former member of the HSE Regional Forum and Cllr Gillian Toole is now a member and we both lobbied for it to be handed over to the council.

“It is a shame to see it lying idle. After 20 years, it seems the HSE have no intention of doing anything with it.

“I will be pursuing this with Ministers Thomas Byrne and Helen McEntee,” he said.

A spokesperson for the HSE said that a 1.023 hectares site was purchased in 2001 by the HSE with the intention of building a primary care centre.

“Ratoath is still included in the most recent network plan for HSE Primary Care Centres for County Meath and it is the intention of the HSE to retain ownership of the site to enable the development,” he said.