Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - Health Board Property.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

112 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health the use to which the Eastern Health Board intends to put a house (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and whether this is an appropriate location, in a residential area, where there are many families with children. [19307/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I presume the Deputy is referring to a property at 7 Marne Villas, Dublin 7 which is owned by the Eastern Health Board and which was formerly in use as a staff residence for the St. Brendan's service. The future proposed use is to accommodate the extension of the Laragh Counselling Service for adult victims of sexual abuse, male and female.

The service has its headquarters at 140 St. Laurence's Road, Dublin 3 with satellite clinics in Park House, North Circular Road and Tallaght. The service concentrates predominately on North City and North County Dublin and Dublin West and County Kildare operating in partnership with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

The property at Marne Villas will be used for counselling purposes for clients from the Cabra, Finglas and Blanchardstown areas. The service will operate on an appointment basis during the hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. It will not be a residential facility.

Officers of the board have met with the residents of Marne Villas on Thursday, 17 October 1996, and advised them of the proposals. It is anticipated that the board will provide a discreet service for its clients and will not impinge in any way on the residents within the area.