A new centre is desperately needed in Lisnaskea, where Maple Healthcare is currently catering for thousands of extra patients due to the closure of nearby surgeries.

The old High School site has been approved as the new location for the Irish language primary school Bunscoil an Traonaigh, but the remainder, and majority of the site, will be released in the coming weeks to other government departments expressing an interest who have come up with a suitable business plan. 

It is thought that the Department of Health has a keen interest in the site for a new £20million health centre and the Department of Education have been working closely with them.

Principal of Bunscoil an Traonaigh Sorcha Ni Mhurchu, pictured right, has welcomed the development. “We are delighted we have been given the approval for it. It is a good thing for the future of the school but we have not been given any definite timeframe as to when we will be moving. 

“We have been informed that they are going to demolish the old High School before the end of the financial year, but after that they do not have any financial plans in place. It is positive – more space and more room for growth.” 

The school which currently has around 60 pupils is currently operating out of temporary accommodation.

Speaking about the prospect of sharing the site with the new health centre, Ms Ni Mhurchu said ‘it would be fantastic. The town needs a decent health centre.’

Lisnaskea MLA Sean Lynch, who has been supporting the school’s plans, is hopeful that the High School will be the site of the new health centre. 

“The site is by far the best site within the area in terms of accessibility, it is within the town boundary, and in public ownership. 

“There is a fantastic opportunity here for both departments to work together in developing this site as a hub for education and health in our area, delivering badly needed services. There is a further opportunity for the Department of Health to look at innovative solutions to develop and strengthen services in our rural areas that do not have reasonable access to primary care