'People will have simply nowhere to go' - Crucial Dublin day centre under threat

Following news closure due to required works costing up €250,000, Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan has pledged to "work tirelessly" to save the centre for people who will have "simply nowhere to go" after it ceases operations on December 31

A local councillor has pledged to “work tirelessly” to ensure a crucial south Dublin day service centre remains open.

Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan recently visited the Walkinstown Social Services Centre, where staff and service users were given the devastating news earlier this month that they would have to cease operations on December 31. Having provided food, activities, and companionship for the area's older population for over 60 years, the centre has provided an essential service to the Dublin 12 community since 1965.

Following news that the centre would require extensive works costing up to €250,000, the long-standing support provided by the Religious Sisters of Charity (RSC) was withdrawn. Valerie Brien, who works in the centre, previously told Dublin Live that suggestions that they could fundraise and rent the building themselves were shot down.

Cllr Doolan has issued a statement that he will do all he can to prevent the closure of Walkinstown Social Services Centre. “It has continued to grow from strength to strength since it first opened its doors in 1965. This is a real testament to the excellent staff and management. It cannot be allowed to close,” he said.

“It is with deep regret that I learnt that the Religious Sisters of Charity are no longer in a position to support the centre. I visited the centre to see for myself the great services being provided there. I met with staff and service users. I was hugely impressed with the standard of service people receive here.

“Without this centre many people will have simply nowhere to go. Currently the service employs five staff, along with 12 staff on employment schemes providing a daily service to 50 clients, a weekly active retirement group of 25 clients, and another weekly disability group Arch 12 have 50 to 60 clients in the centre.

“These numbers highlight how important this service is to the local community and how important it is to keep this service fully functioning. I have contacted both the Sisters of Charity asking that they confirm what are their plans for the centre, and asking would they be willing to allow the service to remain in the building if adequate funding was sourced to carry out repairs to the building, and finally would they be willing to work with the HSE to transition to a fully funded HSE service.

“I welcome that the Sisters of Charity confirmed to me they are engaging with the HSE seeking to find a solution. It is hugely important that these two organisations work together to ensure this service remains open and fully functioning long into the future. I will work tirelessly to ensure this happens."

The Centre's Management Committee previously said they were told by the Sisters that the building " requires significant maintenance and investment which they can no longer undertake", and that "the members of the order are themselves now of advanced age, and are no longer able to continue the level of support they have generously provided over many decades".

They added: "While the Committee fully understands these circumstances and remains deeply grateful for the extraordinary generosity, and commitment shown by the Religious Sisters of Charity since the centre first opened, the decision leaves the local community without an alternative day service of this kind. The closure will have a profound impact on many older people who depend on the centre for friendship, routine, companionship, wellbeing and social connection.

"This is an incredibly emotional moment for everyone connected with Walkinstown Social Service Centre. For over 61 years the centre has been much more than a building - it has been a lifeline, a place of friendship, dignity and belonging for thousands of older people.

"While we are heartbroken that we must leave our current home, we are absolutely determined that this is not the end of the service." The Sisters said they gave their notice to relinquish the responsibility of the centre "with great sadness", and added they are in discussions with the HSE to help secure its future.

View 3 Images Service users at the Walkinstown Social Service Centre

They said: "For more than 60 years, the Sisters have been proud to support the centre and the generations of older people, families, staff and volunteers who have been part of the community. While stepping back from operating the centre, we sincerely hope the service will continue and are committed to working with the HSE and stakeholders to secure a sustainable future.

"This difficult decision follows two independent reports and a recent HSE inspection that have identified that the building is no longer deemed fit for purpose. While this decision has not been taken lightly, it also reflects the evolving circumstances of the Congregation, with an ageing and diminishing number of Sisters reducing our capacity to continue supporting services in the way we have done in the past.

"In line with the process agreed with the HSE, six months notice has been provided to allow time for discussions on the future of the service. We want this service to continue and will meet with the HSE.

"We recognise that this news is deeply upsetting for service users, families, our staff and many volunteers. The Sisters remain committed to working closely and constructively with the HSE and all stakeholders during this period to support an orderly transition and to ensure the wellbeing of service users remains the central focus.

"The centre has served older people with compassion, dignity and respect for many years, and we acknowledge with gratitude the dedication of the staff and volunteers who have helped make it a home from home for so many within the local community. We also thank the wider Walkinstown community for its longstanding support of the centre and its mission."

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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