Crisis for parishioners as centre due to close
By Maurice Garevy
THE impending closure of a parish centre in the coming weeks, has left parishioners facing a “crisis” according to parish priest Canon Tony Reilly.
Palmerstown Parish Centre contains a day care centre for the elderly and delivers up to 400 ‘meals on wheels’ per week, but is to close as the parish cannot afford the approximate €200,000 required for building repairs.
A public meeting in St Philomena’s Church last week, drew a huge crowd of parishioners, residents and representatives of the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Posting a public statement, Fr Reilly said: “It is with a heavy heart to announce that our parish centre is in crisis and will have to close in the coming weeks.
“Given the age and condition of the building, maintenance has been an ongoing problem. Following inspection by Tusla of the Montessori and Naíonra schools, consultants engaged by the Archdiocese have reported that the fire alarm system, emergency lighting and fire safety in general does not meet the required standards for a building used by the public.
“The cost of bringing the premises up to the required standards is beyond the resources of the parish. In the absence of available funds, there is no option but to close as remaining open breaches the law.”
Along with the day care centre, the facility is also home to Palmerstown Active Retirement Association, pre-school Naíonra Thír na nÓg, a montessori school, and numerous groups including Palmerstown Boxing Youth Club, AA meetings, Palmerstown Camera Club, and Waterstown Warriors Walking Club.
Connie Kiernan, a client of the day care centre, is “devastated” at the loss, and appealed for the Archdiocese to support the parish centre.
“It is the difference between many of us living independently or having to look at nursing home accommodation,” she said.
“We are at a loss to understand how this parish centre cannot be supported by Share, as we have always contributed to this collection since it’s inception. We are acutely aware that parishes surrounding us all benefited from the support of Share in their time of need. The maintenance cost of reopening the parish centre is vast and far beyond our parish’s means.”
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese, told The Echo funding was not a possibility due to the centre being a community facility.
“We are looking at ways of a possible solution. The building needs a lot of work. All groups involved have got together to organises a sub-committee.”
Fr Reilly has appealed to the community for their “assistance and input.”
The only way to avoid permanent closure is to find the necessary funding,” he said.
