John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a former teacher, I am sure the teacher is probably not best pleased with that. The students are probably happy.

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter. Like the Minister of State, I am extremely passionate about the need for a new purpose-built multidisciplinary early intervention and respite care centre for children with complex additional needs on the grounds of St. Otteran's Hospital in Waterford city. In February 2021, our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, responded to my Commencement matter on this very topic and confirmed that the project was in the capital plan. That was fantastic news to receive at the time. The Minister of State went on to communicate the timelines she was given by the HSE. She said the design team would be procured by the end of that year, 2021, and it was expected that the project would go out to tender in late 2022 with construction due to commence in 2023. Construction was estimated to last for a period of between 18 and 24 months. Of course, the usual caveats of the project being a dynamic process and subject to approval at various stages were stated.

I understand, as spokesperson on housing, that projects can be delayed when they go to the detailed design stage and further reworking of plans can cause delays. However, to be standing here in 2024 without the project having progressed to a construction tender is simply not good enough from the HSE estates.I want to know what is going on with this much-needed project for children with complex needs in Waterford city and the surrounding areas.

When I spoke in 2021, I described the inadequate nature of the existing Sacred Heart Centre and the associated disability services which operate from Johnstown industrial estate. I spoke about the narrow corridors, the poor ventilation, the inadequate parking and set-down areas, the lack of a sensory room, the health and safety risks, the lack of soundproofing and the lack of storage space for SLT and PT equipment. To be honest, these are the same today as they were three years ago. The Sacred Heart Centre was built over 44 years ago and the industrial unit in Johnstown is just that - an industrial unit that was leased back in 2003. Despite the amazing staff and the amazing parents who do Trojan work and provide an excellent service, the buildings they are operating from are simply not fit for purpose. That is why the failure of the HSE to meet its own timelines that it gave to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is very disappointing. I hope there will be some light at the end of the tunnel and that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will be able to shed further light on this project. The most recent census figures for Waterford show that the number of children aged under 19 with a disability of great extent stood at 1,301. Therefore, the need for an integrated multidisciplinary centre to deliver for that young population and their families cannot be underestimated.

I have to highlight the fantastic committee, Touching Hearts, whose members have been fundraising for this project since 2017. They have committed €1 million to the project and raised over half of that total. When I was mayor in 2016 and 2017, I had the pleasure of making it one of the beneficiaries of my mayor’s ball. I compliment the committee, the staff, the parents and everyone associated with this. They are absolutely determined and committed to the delivery of this project, which will be transformational for this and future generations. However, they cannot wait any longer as they have waited too long already. This project has gone on for too long and it has to be fast-tracked from here. If it is the case that other services are trying to piggyback on this project to make it what it was not, and that is what is delaying it, this needs to be called out. People need to be told that this is a project that is for this purpose and we are driving on with it.