Call for PAC probe as former Cork B&B bought by HSE is left vacant for three years
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A Cork councillor has called for the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate why a former B&B bought by the HSE has lain vacant for more than three years.
Glenwood House in Carrigaline was bought by the HSE more than three years ago, with the health service seeking to turn the property into a mental health facility to replace Millfield House in Cork city.
Social Democrats councillor Liam Quaide wrote to the PAC in late June, asking the committee to investigate why Glenwood House remains vacant, despite it having received change-of-use planning permission last October.
“The HSE’s business case for purchasing Glenwood House in 2021 was the replacement of a facility named Millfield House in Blackpool, Cork, which the HSE deemed unfit for purpose,” Mr Quaide wrote.
“What is remarkable about this case is that Millfield House has since reopened after a renovation and extension — in December 2023 — and now accommodates 10 residents.
"I would be grateful if the Public Accounts Committee could investigate why Glenwood House remains vacant despite having planning permission for use as a community mental health residence and despite major capital investment by the HSE,” Mr Quaide added.
He said the HSE purchased Glenwood House “on the basis of a business case that has not stood up to scrutiny”.
However, a spokesperson for the HSE said: "Glenwood House was the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Planning permission for change of use was granted in October 2023, less than one year ago.
"Once we received that planning permission 10 months ago, we could then start work on implementing plans for this valuable property to be used appropriately and for the maximum benefit of people in need of residential mental health services.
While we awaited planning permission, there were other welcome and much-needed improvements to several residential mental health services in Cork, including Millfield House. The shortcomings in the stock of residential mental health services in the region are widely acknowledged, and we will take any opportunity available to us to improve these buildings so that we can offer an improved service to the people who need it."
They said that since the HSE received planning permission, a group has carefully examined factors including the needs of residents; the type of care to be delivered; the regulations involved and staffing considerations.
Once we have confirmed the people who would benefit most from the service at Glenwood House, we will engage with them and offer them this opportunity first before making any public announcement.
We can confirm that Glenwood House will open for residential use for residents in HSE Mental Health Services in 2024, with appropriate staffing.