Temporary accommodation centre planned for site on the outskirts of Kilkenny City

Following a special meeting of Kilkenny County Council held earlier this afternoon, a majority of elected members have voted in favour of the local authority acquiring a 17 acre site at St Patrick's Complex on the outskirts of Kilkenny City.

Kilkenny County Council have negotiated a 'Letter of Intent' for a five year term for use of the site as temporary accommodation.

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Loan finance of €3.5million is required to purchase the site and this is to be repaid by the Department of Children who will also cover the full running costs of operation.

The Department will also provide 100% of the funding to refurbish and fit out the eight residential units currently on the site and the utility relocation costs, an investment estimated at €9.3 million.

The refurbishment of existing residential units will be carried out in three phases over twelve months and the refurbished buildings will accommodate up to 257 Ukrainians for a period of two years, with the option for International Protection Applicants (IPAs) for year three.

It is important to note that Ukrainians may become IPAs after temporary protection ends in March 2025.

One of the concerns voiced by the local authority was that they feared a commercial operator would purchase the site and use it as a temporary accommodation centre where they would have no direct input into its management.

The St Patrick’s Complex is currently owned by Aurora, a community based service providing supports to people with intellectual disabilities.

The Complex was formerly used as a residential facility providing daycare and respite care up until four years ago and has been vacant since then.

Kilkenny County Council have outlined their intentions to professionally manage and operate the facility to the same standard as the St John of God convent.

This facility will not only provide a safe and secure environment with communal cooking facilities, but will also offer vital wrap-around supports including language assistance, healthcare and employment support services.

Over the course of the next five years, whilst the site is being used for temporary accommodation, Kilkenny County Council will masterplan the site.

They will seek input from elected members and the public to determine its long-term use as it will be a substantial landbank on the outskirts of Kilkenny City.

This will include the long-term use of all the assets on the site including the sports hall, swimming pool, training centre and the main building.

With government footing the bill for the loan finance, it is hoped that the site will become a cost-effective way to deliver a substantial long-term development project for the people of Kilkenny.

The local authority are looking to work closely with neighbouring St Patrick’s School and SOS to ensure maximum co-operation between all service providers in the immediate area.

Local residents will also be consulted and will be provided with information on how the site will be managed and it is expected that they will be given a point of contact within the local authority where they can discuss any issues that arise.

153 people are planned to be accommodated on-site by May 2024, with a further 56 by July 2024 and a further 48 by September 2024.

The proposal generated intense debate at this afternoon's special meeting of Kilkenny County Council.

It was formally proposed by Cllr Peter 'Chap' Cleere and seconded by Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh.

Following this, it was put to a vote, with 16 councillors voting 'for' the proposal and six voting 'against'.

More to follow.