By Kim O’Leary
LOCALS have hit out at South Dublin County Council over the proposed use of nursing home facilities at Cappaghmore to house homeless families.
Residents and councillors are claiming they were not kept abreast of developments – and they want the council’s assurance they will be consulted in the future.
Cllr Trevor Gilligan (FF) said that he was disappointed to have heard about the plans from the residents rather than the local authority.
He told Dublin Gazette: “There is a worry now that this will now be the standard for other nursing homes throughout the Clondalkin area. There were three nursing homes (now two) and residents are wondering is this going to be the way forward.
“This was done without consultation, with no communication to elected representatives and without any consultation with local residents.”
Meanwhile, it is understood that local councillors remain divided on the issue.
Cllr Gilligan revealed: “There’s still a lot of questions being asked about further developments and what exactly they will mean for the nursing homes and residents. SDCC were only forthcoming with this information after the fact.
“I think the residents have a right to air their opinions and they deserve to know what is in their own front yard and what is in store for the wider Clondalkin area in the future.”
South Dublin County Council said it is “acutely aware of the need for appropriate housing and related services” to meet the needs of housing applicants and homeless persons including children.
It received a proposal for the provision of a family hub with 13 rooms suitable for small families, and a range of supports, at the former Cappaghmore Nursing Home.
The council said it agreed to support the proposed facility following a detailed analysis with further support provided by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) and approval from the Department of Housing.
SDCC said it will be a drug and alcohol-free facility and there will be 24/7 on site management to deal with any matters arising.
The council added: “The number of families on this council’s housing list using self-accommodate/hotel type accommodation is currently at 38 families, from a peak of 224 families in May 2019, and this facility provides an avenue to further reduce… by providing a family hub with quality facilities and services that will significantly enhance the level of homeless service provision both in the County and particularly in the Clondalkin area.”
