The Health Service Executive is currently undertaking a valuation of the St Finan’s Hospital site in Killarney in a further attempt to determine the best course of action to take going forward, Killarney Municipal District Council has been told.
In a written reply to a query from Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, seeking an update on plans for the extensive landbank, the HSE’s national director of capital and estates, Paul de Freine, said the matter has been referred to the HSE valuations office and the information will be shared with the council when it is available.
He said in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform protocol, the St Finan’s property was offered to all state agencies through the intra-state property register.
Kerry County Council confirmed that it wished to acquire 5.77 acres to the north of the ring road at Ballydribeen and the disposal of this element is being progressed.
A new community nursing unit is currently under construction, through public private partnership on another section of land at St Finan’s Hospital but, other than that, there has been no further developments.
The 10,045sq m 130-bed nursing unit is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
KillarneyToday.com revealed last month that a tentative approach was made to the HSE regarding the possibility of using the vacant hospital complex to house refugees or asylum seekers.
Correspondence revealed that the HSE gave the matter consideration but it was not pursued due to the extensive refurbishment and rebuilding that would be required in order to accommodate people.
Built in 1846 and fully vacant since 2012, the building is a protected structure and it has been fenced off with a steel railings for security and safety reasons.
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