Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I wish to begin by expressing my appreciation, and, I am sure, that of everybody in this House, of everybody who has worked or is working or volunteering with Templemore Community Services Centre and indeed day centres right across Ireland. We are lucky to have around 300 day centres and around 300 meals on wheels locations right across the country. I am conscious that some of these organisations are run directly by the HSE, but so many of them, although grant-aided by the HSE, are overwhelmingly run and supported by volunteers with a real Irish sense of meitheal. In answering the Deputy’s question, I take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank people working in Templemore Community Services Centre and all such centres right across Ireland.

I very much noted in his contribution the esteem in which the organisation is held and how vital the services it provides are to the local community. He is right that it is not unfair to say that when organisations provide such vital services, they should expect the State to step up and partner with them to enable delivery. It is not good enough just to thank people; we must try to support them as well.

Having spoken to the Minister for Health on this, I know that Templemore Community Services Centre has expressed an interest in the old Convent of Mercy. I understand the HSE has issued a letter of support to Templemore Community Services Centre in relation to its requirement for additional space to develop its services. The HSE has committed to me that it will engage directly with the centre. Therefore, the need for additional space is acknowledged and supported by the HSE. We very much look forward, as a Government, to doing all we can to support Templemore Community Services Centre in its efforts on this.

The service provides day care services five days per week, with a maximum daily capacity at the site of 20 people. As the Deputy pointed out, the centre needs and wants to do more, and it needs more space to achieve this. The core annual funding for the site is €263,303, which is provided for the provision of the day services and meal collection services. However, we will work with the Deputy and Templemore Community Services Centre to determine whether more progress can be made on advancing its interest in the convent site.

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