Local community 'let down' by closure of Kildare daycare centre

The local community feels “let down” by government and by the Society of St Vincent de Paul due to the recent closure of Allenwood daycare centre in Ballyteague GFC, a local TD has told the Dáil.

Kildare South TD, Mark Wall (LAB) told the Dáil on Wednesday March 20 that it has been three months since Allenwood daycare centre closed its doors, which he said has had an “immense” impact on the older people who attended the centre.

For many attendees, this centre was their “social lifeline” and a way of staying connected with their neighbours, community and friends, he said, adding that the closure of the centre “flies in the face of Sláintecare.”

The local community, Deputy Wall stated, feels there is “a process of bureaucracy that their families are suffering under.”

Closure of the centre, he pointed out, affected not only service users, but their families and loved ones.

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He was aware, he said, that the HSE had organised places in another daycare centre elsewhere in Kildare town for four days per week, but while 13 of those who had used the Ballyteague centre had accepted a place, five had not.

Deputy Wall said that the HSE told him that a new centre in Killmeage will be completed in June, “but the problem is these older people cannot wait until June.”

The Labour Deputy said the Minister of State would be aware of the detrimental impact that loneliness can have on older people, given the lack of social contact and contact with friends.

Minister of State, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, responding said he wished to assure Deputy Wall that “every effort” will be made to ensure that “proper care” is given and that people are accommodated.

He said: “The new programme for Government has highlighted the importance of our community services for older people, which assist them to remain independent and live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible.”

The Minister pointed out that Allenwood daycare centre is a HSE-funded service managed and operated by St Vincent de Paul through a service level arrangement for daycare and meals on wheels.

As a private, voluntary organisation, he pointed out, decisions about the closure of the service and the employment of staff rest with St Vincent de Paul.

The Minister of State told Deputy Wall that the HSE is seeking an alternative daycare provider for the Allenwood daycare service, and in the longer term it is planned that the day service will move to Kilmeague health care centre.

Refurbishment works are currently underway, and are expected to be completed by June 2025, he confirmed.

Deputy Wall, responding to the Minister, asked that he convey two requests to the Minister for Health.

Firstly, he asked for an on-site meeting with the Minister “as quickly as possible”, and secondly, that the Minister for State ask the Minister “why we cannot reopen the centre in Ballyteague.”

Minister of State O'Sullivan agreed to the Deputy's request.