Pieta House set to bring services back to Tallaght
By Mary Dennehy
PIETA House is re-opening a centre in Tallaght and is this February expected to open the new base to people living in Tallaght and the wider South Dublin County area.
The new premises, to be located in the Greenhills Retail Park, will also house the charity’s administration team – which will be moving from Main Street, Lucan, to Tallaght.
Pieta House has been trying to relocate in Tallaght since moving out of its former Jobstown premises in 2014.
The suicide prevention centre had its sights set on moving into part of the Youthreach building in Whitestown Business Park in Tallaght, and had lodged a change-of-use planning application with South Dublin County Council.
However, last May, the council refused permission for the change-of-use of the premises from education to the provision of medical and health services, a decision appealed by Pieta House to An Bord Pleanála (ABP).
ABP recently overturned the council’s decision, granting planning permission to the charity.
However, The Echo has learned that Pieta House was eager to re-establish in Tallaght and had identified another suitable location on the Greenhills Road.
Cathy Kelly, Director of Operations and Developments with Pieta House, told The Echo: “We wanted to relocate in Tallaght since we moved out of Jobstown in 2014.
“We were refused planning back in May and weren’t sure how the appeal would go . . . and we didn’t want to wait around.
“So, we secured an alternative premises in Tallaght.”
She added: “Our service was fully utilised when we were in Tallaght, so we are happy to be relocating.
“The service will be for everybody in Dublin South, but particularly for people living in Tallaght.
“We understand there is a need in South Dublin County Council [region] and we have the full support of the Suicide Liaison Officer with the HSE.”
Alongside opening a new centre for members of the public, Pieta House is also moving its administration function to the Greenhills Road-based building.
Currently, the charity’s admin team works across two units on Main Street in Lucan, with these staff members moving to Tallaght.
The move will have no impact on the service provided by the house on the Lucan Road.
The charity has grown in recent years, and, alongside providing support to people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm, it now offers counselling to people bereaved by suicide – a service previously operated by Console.
The new centre in Tallaght will offer Pieta House’s full range of services, which are provided free.
For further details on Pieta House visit www.pieta.ie or call 1800 247 247.
