Residents have ‘grave’ concerns over homeless hub in housing estate
By Maurice Garvey
THE proposed new family homeless hub in Cappaghmore in Clondalkin has raised more questions than answers for residents.
Since it was announced back in early February that a 13-room hub for families was to be located at the former Cappaghmore Nursing Home, locals were perplexed as to why another housing support facility was to be established in the close knit 180 house estate.
The sign removed from the estate was reported to Gardai
Cappaghmore is already home to another 32-bed nursing home and three St John of God homes, which has led to a “saturation of non-family dwellings relative to the size of the estate”, according to a statement by some of the residents.
The former nursing home consists of two houses and was sold last year on the private market.
South Dublin County Council said they received a proposal for a “high quality family hub” at the site in an area “without any such facilities at present”.
Plans were subsequently submitted to the council by Eria Cúram Ltd, whose company records list it’s Directors as Ballyfermot brother and sister Luke Keeler, an Irish professional boxer and Cheryl Kavanagh.
Residents have been proactive since the announcement, writing to the Housing Minister, hosting two meetings with the council, and have carried out their own extensive research on planning, housing, law and council framework policy.
None of the residents The Echo spoke to wished to give their name, but one said a “grave concern” is that a two year contract has been awarded by South Dublin County Council to “a new company set up last year with no proven track record or established reputation in running the proposed family hub service.”
Local authorities have been paying out big sums of money to private operators to provide accommodation over the last couple of years, partly due to the crisis in terms of housing stock.
It is a multi-million industry, with Dublin City Council paying over €41m last year to private operators and a further €36.4m to hotels and other facilities.
Generally, agreements with private operators see a verified service provider such as Respond or Peter McVerry Trust brought in to manage a facility.
However, The Echo understands Cappaghmore may be one of the first such cases where a private operator is to be responsible for both the running and management of the facility.
Construction work has been taking place on the building in recent months to prepare the building for habitation. It is unclear how many people will be accommodated in the 13 bedrooms, but residents fear it could potentially accommodate “over 50” people into what was originally two houses.
The former Tower Nursing home had to reduce its bed capacity from 25 to 20 residents in order to comply with HIQA regulations, prior to closing for financial reasons.
Clondalkin TD Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Housing, strongly feels established service providers should be involved in any emergency accommodation hubs.
Ó Broin said: “There is a need for a hub in Clondalkin, near the village, transport links, social welfare, but my issue is it has to be provided by a service provider with a proven track record.
“Emergency accommodation should not be provided for on a profit basis.
“We desperately need a hub in Clondalkin. No site is going to be suitable. They hoped to use a site at the telephone exchange at the junction of Nangor Rd and Fonthill, but the deal fell apart.
“The advantage of voluntary service providers is they have to adhere to a detailed framework which has been in place for years. The Abberley Court and Tallaght Cross are good examples. We have a lot of reputable service providers. It should remain in the not-for-profit sector.”
Although it seemed the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) was to be involved in the Cappaghmore hub according to a council press release back in February, it doesn’t appear to be the case.
South Dublin County Council did not respond to The Echo at the time of going to print.
A spokesperson for the DRHE said: “The DRHE supports the development of hubs in regional areas where families can be closer to natural supports and schools.
“Residents in family hubs receive onsite support, housing advice and social support from NGOs and DRHE housing teams as well as in reach support from HSE and Tusla.
“South Dublin County Council is examining such a proposal at present for a property at Cappaghmore in Clondalkin, which was formerly used as a nursing home.
“In the event of a proposal being accepted and entered into, the DRHE’s role would be to manage the funding, inspections and monitor outcomes.”
Further concerns for residents include the small communal spaces provided for in the facility, and Covid compliance complaints regarding communal areas and building work.
Signs objecting to the development were taken down and a complaint was made to gardai last week.
A garda spokesperson said: “Ronanstown Gardai responded to an incident in the Cappaghmore area of at approximately 10:45am on April 8, and engaged with those present.”
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