Plans to dispose of the St Brigid's Hospital site in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, are set to move forward shortly, it has been confirmed.

Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins raised the issue in the Seanad yesterday, 15 October, with Minister of State Finian McGrath also issuing an update.

Minister McGrath confirmed that Oak Grove House is the last building which is still in service and purpose built accommodation is currently being developed. Once this building is vacated the HSE will proceed with the disposal of parts of the St Brigid's Hospital site and lands that are surplus to requirements.

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Senator Hopkins commented: "I have requested time-frames to be given on when this disposal is likely to happen. The protocol for disposal or sale of State Assets includes the transfer to another public body or State Agency or open market sale. Community uses will be considered if the first two options do not materialise. I want to see this site remain in state ownership so it can provide an avenue for economic growth for the town.

"The OPW has recently completed a report on the future of the site and it is currently with the property management section within the OPW. I want to see this report published as soon as possible.

"Ballinasloe is ideally located with direct motorway access to both Dublin and Shannon Airports, it is served by the Dublin Galway rail line and the campus is served by high speed broadband.

"I am ambitious for the future of the St. Brigid's site because we need ambition in order to realise the potential of the campus.

"It will not be an easy task and it is one which will require a significant level of investment. I will continue to advocate strongly for this site in order to secure that necessary funding," she concluded.

(CM/JG)