asked the Minister for Health the plans for Geraldstown House, Ballymun Road, Santry Avenue, Dublin 11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballymun (Dublin) Property.
8.
The Eastern Health Board propose to operate Geraldstown House as a family resource centre. The board's objective is to provide a resource for vulnerable families from the area and, in particular, the special needs of their children.
It is envisaged that the centre will provide the following range of services:
(a) support for and involvement of parents;
(b) day care for children of pre-school age and flexible day care for children in families who are unable to provide adequate continuous care;
(c) special project for four to twelve year olds for after school activities.
The board are currently considering applications for the post of project leader which was advertised some time ago. Following on the appointment of the project leader the board will proceed with the finalising of their plans for the use to which Geraldstown House will be put.
Is the Minister aware that there is a fairly active local development association in existence with an interest in involvement in the development of this centre? This is a fairly precious resource in that area, there being no other similar type of building with the possibility of developing a full range of community services. The local management groups and interests are keen to see whether the centre could be developed to perform a range of services beyond the child care area. Does the Minister feel this request could be met in the context of the very desirable services which the board are proposing to develop?
I have been assured by the health board that they will finalise their programme of proposed services at Geraldstown House as soon as the project leader has fully assessed the needs of the area and has recommended to the board the services most likely to be effective in meeting those needs. I had some informal discussions regarding the proposed services in the area. As of now, the health board are quite definite that they will have services to support the involvement of parents, a day nursery for babies of up to two years of age, and a flexible day care arrangement for children and families who are unable to provide continuous care, together with a special project for four to 12 year olds for after school activities. I indicated that in my reply. Eventually it is hoped to provide an emergency residential facility for children attending the centre. The detailed proposals have not yet been finalised. I am urging the Eastern Health Board to finish the work and to make the arrangements. I do not know to what extent they have liaised effectively with the local development association. I met a deputation in July 1983.
Very wisely the premises were bought by the board some years ago. There was a delay in the development of the premises. Is there much work to be done on the premises and is that work under way currently? Are we talking about a facility being available this year? Can the Minister indicate when the facility will be available to the people of the area?
It is an outstanding facility. When it is fully in operation it will be of exceptional benefit to the area. The board were reluctant to proceed with the necessary renovation of the building without the benefit of the project leader's report on what the building will be used for finally with all its services. I will be pressing the board to go ahead and complete this work, and I will be in touch with the Deputy.
One of the major problems with the building and the facility was the lack of adequate sewerage. Can the Minister indicate whether that problem has been overcome? It does not require the appointment of a project leader before dealing with it?
There were lengthy delays in relation to the deeds for the building and the provision of a sewerage connection. These problems have been resolved so far as I know. The post of project leader was advertised and a short list of applicants has been prepared for the appointment. I will be urging the board to go ahead and complete the work. It has taken some time. Such matters seem to take more time than is desirable or could possibly be anticipated.
My major concern is to ascertain whether in the operation of this centre, which I repeat is a unique resource in the area with quite an amount of accommodation, the board will operate with the maximum possible openness to the other needs of the community which might be served by a facility such as this. I refer to possible meeting places and other adult related activities. Can the Minister indicate that so far as is feasible the board will be willing to co-operate fully and that there will not be anything in the operation of the centre which will close it off from the community as it becomes a specialised centre?
I will give every encouragement to the board to operate on an open basis and to discuss with local advisory groups how best the needs of the area can be looked after. It is a family resource centre. It will be 100 per cent funded by the Eastern Health Board and staffed by health board personnel. I hope the facility will be available to local organisations. The board had difficulty in considering whether portion of the building or the outhouses should be vested in a local association. They came down against that proposition. The association acquired alternative premises and workshops. I will be encouraging the health board that, if a family resource centre is to work locally, it will have to be on a local basis and not with health board personnel arriving every Monday morning at 9.30 a.m. and leaving at 5 o'clock in the evening. That is one of the big problems we have with our health services.