Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important issue. The programme for Government highlights the importance of community services for older people, which assist them to remain independent and to live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible. Many older people living at home rely on the services they receive through day centres and the outreach that these centres provide, including meals on wheels. These wrap-around supports also help to reduce loneliness and social isolation.

The HSE has operational responsibility for the planning, management, allocation, delivery and funding of health and social care services such as day centres. This includes responsibility for managing the buildings and other assets used in the delivery of those services. The Teach na nDaoine facility is a HSE facility in Kilcullen, County Kildare. As the Senator said, it is on an old dispensary site that was renovated by the former lessee, Teach na nDaoine Cill Chuilinn, with the intention of putting it to use as a day centre for older people. I have made inquiries. The HSE informed the Department of Health that it had been notified by the former lessee on 13 September 2024 of its intention to commence winding down operations and formally hand back vacant possession of the property. The keys to the property were returned to the HSE on 17 September 2024.

While acknowledging that significant renovation works were completed to the building by Teach na nDaoine Cill Chuilinn during its tenancy, the HSE has stated that additional renovation works would be required to ensure the property was fully compliant with building standards to ensure safety, accessibility, sustainability and functionality. The HSE has confirmed to the Department of Health that there are no plans to complete these works and no plans to open a day centre for older people at this site. As such, the facility is now vacant and non-operational. When sites like this become vacant, the HSE conducts an internal review of potential uses. Following the review in this case, the HSE decided that the property was not required for health service delivery in the area. In line with statutory obligations and regulations, the HSE has subsequently engaged with all relevant State stakeholders, including Kildare County Council, around a potential intra-State transfer or to identify the potential for the delivery of other community services from this site.It was confirmed to the HSE last week that no other State shareholder intends to acquire the property. In the event that an intra-State transfer does not proceed, a disposal is to proceed to the open market. The HSE will now look at the necessary steps to move forward on this basis. Senator O'Loughlin may have other matters to shed light on this issue. I asked for what the facts are as of today, and this is what I have been informed through my officials in the HSE. I recognise that there will be disappointment in the community that the HSE has decided that this is not a suitable site for development as a day centre for older people. However, the HSE has advised that older people residing in the Kilcullen area are currently availing of other HSE-funded centres in the Kildare area, including the day centre in the neighbouring town of Newbridge, approximately 20 minutes away from Kilcullen.

When this matter came to me, I made direct inquiries. This is the information I have been provided with as of this morning. I understand people's disappointment, but they are the facts as provided.