“Shocking” is how a city councillor terms the fact that a house owned by the HSE West in the city remains empty for more than a year.
Councillor Catherine Connolly said she is still awaiting a reply to her question as to why the house located at the Mass Path in Newcastle is still lying idle.
“I tabled a written question for the health forum meeting recently as to why the house remains empty and further details in relation to whether it is owned and/or leased by the HSE West, when it was acquired, the cost of same, what if anything it has already been used for, how long it remains empty and what is intended for it. On the day of the meeting. however, the written reply was that a response was not available at the time of printing.”
She said it was confirmed that the building is owned by the HSE West and is the responsibility of its human resources/ occupational health division. She added she is still awaiting further information.
“In the context of the amount of buildings leased/rented by the HSE West on an annual basis ie - approximately 65 in the city and county with two of the said buildings alone costing the HSE West €1,200,000 per year - to leave an asset like this empty without explanation is shocking.”
Cllr Connolly outlined the local health authority has leased an additional building for the provision of a sexual assault treatment unit in a local industrial estate.
“I understand it has also leased or rented brand new office apartments across from the hospital for its finance department!
“Someone has to be called to account for such appalling decisions or lack of decisions.”
