Gathering at potential site for asylum seekers in North Cork

THE site of a former hospital in North Cork is currently being assessed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for use in housing international protection applicants.

A group gathered outside the entrance of the former Heatherside Hospital building on Tuesday night to protest after reports of its potential use were circulated on social media.

A spokesperson for the department told The Echo that a HSE review of the hospital “determined that the site is surplus to the HSE’s requirements”.

Heatherside Hospital was built in the early 1900s to be used as a tuberculosis sanatorium, but its use switched to a psychogeriatic hospital after the eradication of tuberculosis in the 1950s, before it was closed permanently in 2010.

Offered

The department said: “In line with the HSE Property Protocol and Circular 11/2015 of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the HSE offered the property to all State stakeholders through the Intra-State Property Register.”

It explained that following a request by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE has now licensed the property to the department for the provision of accommodation, supports, and services to persons seeking international protection.

“The site and buildings will be assessed to determine the most appropriate use of the property,” it said. 

“Local public representatives have been informed, and any potential plans will be confirmed in due course.”

A spokesperson for Cork County Council told The Echo that the local authority has no comment to make on the matter.

Pat Buckley, Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, told The Echo that he made contact with Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s office “the minute I was contacted on it”, saying that he has requested a full explanation, “so that I can go back to the people with the honest plan”.