Kerry site which could undergo contentious development was ‘not gifted to the people of Killarney'
Cllr Moloney asked KCC to clarify that the Lewis Road property had not been donated by the Franciscans, who previously announced their intention to gift it to the public but could not complete this legally.
'I'm asking ye to make a public statement that the land belongs to KCC and was not gifted to the people of Killarney. It's a very important issue,' Cllr Moloney said.
The representative said posts in circulation on social media state that Áras Phádraig was donated to the people of Killarney.
Cllr Moloney said Ms McAllen also told her that the HSE has confirmed that it will build a primary care centre at the site within three years.
She said that Killarney's councillors are being 'absolutely slaughtered' on social media over the inclusion of the care centre in the proposed redevelopment of Áras Phádraig, which went out to public consultation earlier this year.
The development would see the existing Áras Phádraig building demolished, and the construction of a three-storey theatre and community building, a six-storey primary care centre, a public plaza and a revised entrance to Lewis Road car park.
Killarney councillors are due to examine submissions from the public before voting to approve or disapprove the redevelopment project.
Cllr Moloney indicated that the upcoming decision has been made difficult for councillors.
'It really is coming back on to us,' she said.
'What do we do? Vote no and our theatre is gone. Do we vote yes and there is a primary care centre there?
'Some people do want it, they are not vocal but they do want it. Others are absolutely adamant that it shouldn't be there.'
The Labour Party representative spoke during a discussion prompted by a motion tabled by Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae.
The motion asked KCC to provide clarity as to why the HSE's plans for a primary care centre formed part of the Áras Phádraig redevelopment project.
The KCC response stated that the preliminary business care approved by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for the Áras Phádraig Development confirmed that the project 'is highly worthwhile from an Exchequer cashflow perspective and from a wider socio-economic perspective, when a Primary Care Centre is included'.
'If the PCC is removed, the analysis indicates that there would be negative socio-economic Net Present Values for the project,' the response said.
Cllr Healy-Rae said it is councillors' understanding that millions in funding will be jeopardised if they do not approve the inclusion of the primary care centre in the Áras Phádraig redevelopment.
She said locals do not understand why the healthcare facility is part of the redevelopment project when the HSE owns property elsewhere in the district.
Cllr Healy-Rae asked for clarity to be provided to the public on this matter.
Killarney Cathaoirleach, councillor Martin Grady, said the development of the centre would result in the loss of almost 60 parking spaces.
'Parking and traffic are two of our biggest issues inside in this town. I just fear that if this clinic goes ahead, it's going to worsen that,' Cllr Grady said.
Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said the development of the centre would lead to further congestion on Lewis Road, and said he could not understand why a healthcare facility needed to be located near a theatre.
He said senior HSE officials have not met with local representatives in relation to the development of the centre.
'Why? Because they believe we will give it the oul' stamp,' he said.
Cllr Cronin demanded a meeting with HSE officials who can explain why the care centre must be developed at Áras Phádraig rather than elsewhere.
Kerry Independent Alliance councillor John O'Donoghue said he felt elected members were being taken for granted by the HSE.
'There is a perception that it is going to be signed, sealed and delivered by a certain date, which may not be the case,' he said.
Cllr O'Donoghue said the chief executive of KCC has sought to meet with the head of the HSE but has still not been granted the meeting.
The councillor asked who decided to make the primary care centre a part of the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig.
'We've never been told that,' he said.
Councillors agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss the Áras Phádraig redevelopment on July 25, on condition that the HSE meet with them beforehand.
A KCC official said council management had met with the HSE and requested that a meeting take place with councillors.
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry site which could undergo contentious development was ‘not gifted to the people of Killarney'
Labour Party councillor Marie Moloney said the KCC director of finance, Angela McAllen, confirmed that the local authority bought Áras Phádraig at market value and owns the property. Cllr Moloney asked KCC to clarify that the Lewis Road property had not been donated by the Franciscans, who previously announced their intention to gift it to the public but could not complete this legally. 'I'm asking ye to make a public statement that the land belongs to KCC and was not gifted to the people of Killarney. It's a very important issue,' Cllr Moloney said. The representative said posts in circulation on social media state that Áras Phádraig was donated to the people of Killarney. Cllr Moloney said Ms McAllen also told her that the HSE has confirmed that it will build a primary care centre at the site within three years. She said that Killarney's councillors are being 'absolutely slaughtered' on social media over the inclusion of the care centre in the proposed redevelopment of Áras Phádraig, which went out to public consultation earlier this year. The development would see the existing Áras Phádraig building demolished, and the construction of a three-storey theatre and community building, a six-storey primary care centre, a public plaza and a revised entrance to Lewis Road car park. Killarney councillors are due to examine submissions from the public before voting to approve or disapprove the redevelopment project. Cllr Moloney indicated that the upcoming decision has been made difficult for councillors. 'It really is coming back on to us,' she said. 'What do we do? Vote no and our theatre is gone. Do we vote yes and there is a primary care centre there? 'Some people do want it, they are not vocal but they do want it. Others are absolutely adamant that it shouldn't be there.' The Labour Party representative spoke during a discussion prompted by a motion tabled by Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae. The motion asked KCC to provide clarity as to why the HSE's plans for a primary care centre formed part of the Áras Phádraig redevelopment project. The KCC response stated that the preliminary business care approved by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for the Áras Phádraig Development confirmed that the project 'is highly worthwhile from an Exchequer cashflow perspective and from a wider socio-economic perspective, when a Primary Care Centre is included'. 'If the PCC is removed, the analysis indicates that there would be negative socio-economic Net Present Values for the project,' the response said. Cllr Healy-Rae said it is councillors' understanding that millions in funding will be jeopardised if they do not approve the inclusion of the primary care centre in the Áras Phádraig redevelopment. She said locals do not understand why the healthcare facility is part of the redevelopment project when the HSE owns property elsewhere in the district. Cllr Healy-Rae asked for clarity to be provided to the public on this matter. Killarney Cathaoirleach, councillor Martin Grady, said the development of the centre would result in the loss of almost 60 parking spaces. 'Parking and traffic are two of our biggest issues inside in this town. I just fear that if this clinic goes ahead, it's going to worsen that,' Cllr Grady said. Independent councillor Brendan Cronin said the development of the centre would lead to further congestion on Lewis Road, and said he could not understand why a healthcare facility needed to be located near a theatre. He said senior HSE officials have not met with local representatives in relation to the development of the centre. 'Why? Because they believe we will give it the oul' stamp,' he said. Cllr Cronin demanded a meeting with HSE officials who can explain why the care centre must be developed at Áras Phádraig rather than elsewhere. Kerry Independent Alliance councillor John O'Donoghue said he felt elected members were being taken for granted by the HSE. 'There is a perception that it is going to be signed, sealed and delivered by a certain date, which may not be the case,' he said. Cllr O'Donoghue said the chief executive of KCC has sought to meet with the head of the HSE but has still not been granted the meeting. The councillor asked who decided to make the primary care centre a part of the redevelopment of Áras Phádraig. 'We've never been told that,' he said. Councillors agreed to hold a special meeting to discuss the Áras Phádraig redevelopment on July 25, on condition that the HSE meet with them beforehand. A KCC official said council management had met with the HSE and requested that a meeting take place with councillors.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Michael Moynihan: 10 lessons from Dublin's city taskforce Cork can't afford to ignore
Glad to see people taking notice. I posed a question here in the Leaving Cert for Cork Studies which mentioned a pretty obscure pub at the bottom of Shandon Street which enjoyed a heyday about 40 years past. Last week Catherine Shanahan wrote about redevelopment in the area, and lo: 'Permission was granted to brothers Séamus and Pádraig Kelleher who were also cleared for the redevelopment of a building on lower Shandon Street where they intend to re-open the infamous Left Bank pub.' (Infamous, Catherine? I beg to differ.) Going back further I pointed out that the Pride colours had faded badly on St Patrick's Street, and was gratified to see that brightened, repainted, tidied afterwards. You take your wins where you can. I can also go back further, when I mentioned something else of note - the Dublin City Taskforce, which was established by the government in May 2024. As noted then, its job was 'to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre' and it duly 'produced a full report less than six months later with 10 major recommendations to improve the capital.' Simon Harris: 'I initiated this task force model when I was Taoiseach, and the idea was that it's very easy in large cities for everybody to pass the buck and say 'that's a matter for the city council, that's a matter for the guards, that's a matter for the HSE', [whereas] it's actually a matter for us all to pull together.' File photo: Sasko Lazarov/ This led to the obvious question: what about Cork? Now it appears that that question has been heard in high places. Eoin English reported last Saturday that Tánaiste Simon Harris insists work is ongoing to establish the city taskforce his party promised within the first 100 days of government. For Cork, that is. 'We have seen the difference it can make in Dublin this week,' said Mr Harris. 'We've now done it in Dublin. It needs to happen in Cork.' That 100 days has passed, of course, but let's not get bogged down. He went on to say: 'I initiated this task force model when I was Taoiseach, and the idea was that it's very easy in large cities for everybody to pass the buck and say 'that's a matter for the city council, that's a matter for the guards, that's a matter for the HSE', [whereas] it's actually a matter for us all to pull together.' Cork City Council chief executive Valerie O'Sullivan spoke to the Business Post last month about the City Centre Community Safety Warden scheme. 'This scheme builds on the council's established relationships with businesses, residents, social services and An Garda Síochána and has as an objective ensuring the public realm is welcoming and safe for all citizens.' Relationships. Passing the buck. You say tomato. Anyway, those 10 recommendations from that Dublin taskforce. Is there anything in those for us to learn? 1. Revitalise O'Connell Street and environs A good call until there was some mention recently of using the GPO as a mixed-use building, including retail, which has attracted some fire. The Cork equivalent? St Patrick's Street certainly needs some help. As pointed out here very recently there are several large buildings in Cork's main drag that could be repurposed for the general betterment of the city. 2. Prioritise the total regeneration of social housing complexes in the city centre This would certainly help in Cork until you sit down and list off the city centre locations which need some generation, never mind regeneration. From the old Roche's Stores building to the Queen's Old Castle there are plenty of opportunities in the middle of Cork which await... prioritisation. 3. Convert derelict sites into high-density residential areas with provision for essential workers Hm. Derelict sites, you say? I refer readers to Frank O'Connor and Jude Sherry, whose indefatigable tracking and tracing of such sites have been a huge boon in Cork, though it's obviously unfortunate that that work is necessary. Putting this as delicately as I can, there is no shortage of such sites awaiting transformation for essential workers. 4. Make policing and security more visible The Dublin report recommends adding 1,000 gardaí to the Dublin city centre area. Which would be great for Dublin city centre but not so great for Leeside, where the lack of officers is an embarrassment. Last month it was reported that 120 gardaí graduated from the Garda Training College in Templemore - 74 of those went to Dublin, and only three landed on in Cork City. We did have a Garda van parked around the Grand Parade for a few weeks, though. 5. Deliver more targeted and better located services for vulnerable populations in the city centre Again, this is a good idea. However, in Cork we await the evaluation of the dedicated injection centre in Dublin before one in Cork can be considered. Not an encouraging template. 6. Implement a dedicated waste management plan for the city centre Is that needed in Cork? Streets not maintained, derelict properties, vape shops, temporary metal fencing, unchecked graffiti, unrepaired bridges unoccupied spaces, unbuilt facilities. Yes, very much so. 7. Operate the City Centre Transport Plan with agility I'll say nothing for reasons of space and teeth-gritting frustration. 8. Offer Dubliners compelling reasons to visit the city Like this? Good public transport, well-managed traffic, cheap parking, cycling lanes, safe streets, less antisocial behaviour. All badly needed in Cork. 9. Create a marketing and communications function for Dublin Is this needed in Dublin? Really? The absorption of media, marketing, tourism, and communications functions in the capital makes this unnecessary, as does the de facto assumption that every visitor passes through Dublin anyway. These functions should be delivered for Cork and other cities. 10. Evolve appropriate governance for a capital city This is even more unnecessary than no. 9. As pointed out here in the past, all the apparatus of the State is available to those living in the capital. Every government department and State body is present in Dublin and the expertise of those organisations is available on an official and unofficial basis. Not so in Cork. Appropriate governance needed. A last point on these taskforces. They don't always work out. Before a few heads get pulled in for coffee and biscuits in some nice office overlooking the South Channel of the Lee, I should point to the time former Dublin football boss Jim Gavin was appointed chair of the North East Inner City (NEIC) Implementation Board. That was 2023, when Gavin took over from Michael Stone; he stood down when Paschal Donohoe, then minister for public expenditure, failed to declare expenses related to postering work financed by Mr Stone during the 2020 general election. Might be worth bearing this in mind, even though I don't have room here to get into the appointment process itself. Will it resemble the one used for our mysterious event centre project development board (remember them)? Will the proposed Cork City Taskforce board resemble the one used for our mysterious event centre project development? File picture: Larry Cummins In reality the column above should save a good few bob on travelling expenses, refreshments, office hire and the like. Any Cork taskforce is likely to come to many of the same conclusions. All of which leaves me with the happy question posed by anyone proffering advice to government. Where do I send the bill? Read More Cork City's derelict buildings reveal true cost of housing inequality
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
'State denying children legal right to equal education'
The State has been accused of denying thousands of children their legal right to an equal education by leaving students without proper support due to unduly long waiting lists. It is predicted that as many as 25,000 children could be waiting for an overdue assessment of need by the end of the year. Under the law, children are legally entitled to an assessment of need within six months of applying, and the process is intended to help children access relevant services and supports. 'When it comes to additional educational needs, a large cohort of students across the country do not have the same access to education as their friends, family members or classmates,' said Eoghan Kenny, Labour's education spokesperson. 'This is a breach of their rights, and of the Government's own legal obligations. 'Families are being left to fend for themselves, forced to wait months on end for diagnoses, then even longer for assessments. These are children who need assistive technologies, tailored teaching support, and a school environment that fits their needs. Instead they're left in limbo. Delays with the assessment of need process have serious consequences, Mr Kenny said. 'A child without the right diagnosis or assessment is left without the proper support. Eoghan Kenny, Labour's education spokesperson, said 'families are being left to fend for themselves'. Picture: Larry Cummins 'That means falling behind in school, struggling in unsuitable classrooms, and missing out on key years of their education. 'The damage doesn't end there. "These setbacks have knock-on effects on a child's confidence, their development, and their ability to succeed in later life. "We are hearing of children spending years in mainstream settings without the tools they need to learn. If more than 25,000 children are on the list by the end of this year, how can the State possibly plan for the number of school places, teachers, and technologies needed? "Without timely assessment, there is no way to ensure children get the right start. 'Children are being denied their rights. Their education and social progress are being cast aside. "How many more parents have to sleep out outside the Dáil before Government takes radical action?" It was reported this week that outgoing HSE chief Bernard Gloster said he was 'hugely' concerned at growing waiting lists for children. The HSE earlier this summer estimated the number of children waiting for an assessment of need for six months or longer will grow from 15,000 to 25,000 by the end of the year. There is ongoing engagement between officials regarding the AON process, a spokesman for the Department of Education said. "Department officials are working on a process to remove the need for a diagnosis to access specialist supports in our school system which would be the last remaining requirement for a diagnosis in the education system." Read More Cara Darmody: The law breakers are at the Cabinet table
