Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to respond to the issue raised by Deputy Micheál Martin. As he outlined, the Bessborough Centre in Cork is a not-for-profit organisation that works with children and families. The centre is based on a large site that is in excess of 40 acres. The property is owned by a congregation of nuns who have operated child and family services on the premises for many decades. The congregation that owns the property is now based in the UK, and I understand that the site was advertised for sale in 2018. It appears that the Bessborough site has a mix of considerable undeveloped lands and a range of buildings. A range of services are provided on the Bessborough site, and funding is provided by a number of public bodies, including the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Health Service Executive as well as my Department and Tusla.

In 2018, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, allocated €1.5 million in funding to family and community services provided by the Bessborough Centre. This was established under the trusteeship of the order of nuns who own the land. Tusla is also a tenant on the site and has a short-term lease for its fostering office. The CEO of Tusla visited the site last week. I am informed that the Health Service Executive also operates services on the campus.

The Bessborough Centre is currently considered a leading national centre for therapeutic assessment and interventions for vulnerable families. The centre aims to keep families together where it is in the best interests of the child. My Department provides funding to the Bessborough Centre to run a range of early learning and care and school age childcare programmes for young children. I recognise the challenges that can be faced by community not-for-profit childcare services. That is why my Department has developed a strong case management system operated by Pobal, and through which a dedicated team, in partnership with local city and county childcare committees, assists childcare providers facing challenges.

I understand that Cork City Childcare Committee and Pobal are engaging with the service in question on this matter, and they will continue to support the service as and when required. This is a fluid situation. There appears to be much uncertainty regarding the future of the site and the services provided there. It is important that all factors are taken into consideration before any decisions are made. I know that many people who work for the Bessborough Centre, or who engage with its services, will be anxious to know what the sale of the property means for them. There are also many others who use HSE or Tusla services on the site who will be concerned.

What is clear is that the property is scheduled to be sold, and that there is a potential risk to services as a result of that sale. I know that this is the issue that concerns the Deputy most. Both the CEO of Tusla and I are keen to secure the future of the services that are located on the site. The owners of the Bessborough property have nominated a representative to engage with Tusla. An initial meeting took place between all parties on 4 November and further engagements are to take place shortly. I emphasise that these discussions are in their early stages.

I know that the Deputy will appreciate the sensitivities around engagement on this matter. We are at one on the need to ensure continuity of these necessary services and I appreciate his support and that of other public representatives in Cork in achieving this. I will continue to take an active interest in this matter, and will continue to liaise with Tusla.

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