Dear Minister, Deputies, Senators and Councillors,
We’re writing to give you an update in relation to the buildings at Heatherside Hospital, Doneraile, Co. Cork.
The Department is working hard to find accommodation for all people seeking international protection. As part of this work, it is in the process of implementing the Government’s Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy. Under the strategy, a range of options are being progressed to source and develop accommodation and create a more sustainable system.
Extensive cross-Government engagement has taken place to identify and negotiate the use of state-owned sites for potential emergency tented accommodation and potential longer-term solutions.
As part of this process, HSE licensed the site at Heatherside Hospital to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in 2024.
DCEDIY undertook a full assessment of the site and has determined that it is not suitable for development as an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection. DCEDIY has begun the process to hand back the site to the HSE.
We trust this information is helpful to you.
Kind regards,
Community Engagement Team
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
