COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 13, 2014

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor M. Devine

Can the Chief Executive update members regarding vacant units - in particular those units managed by St John Gods within the Respond development - Springfield?

REPLY:

The St John of Gods Housing Association units within the Springfield Development were provided to cater for applicants over 55 or have some form of disability. To date they have filled their 21 x 1 bed units in Tessa House, Cookstown Way.  However they have 6 x 6 (1 bed) units that were originally designed with a view to placing groups of older people in a congregated setting along with a carer. The design of units is no longer an applicable method of living and are not conducive to any type of family or shared tenancy grouping as the bedrooms are extremely small. The units will, therefore, have to be re-configured according to the needs of people who may be suitable for this type of setting.  

At present 5 people with a one bed need and 4 groupings with a 2 bed need are being considered for nomination.  St John of Gods have requested that all nominations are accompanied by a care plan outlining  the level of support that would be provided by local services if a person was to be offered a unit in Tessa House. This information is currently being gathered from the various services engaged with the applicants.  On receipt of the information further discussions will be held with the SJOG with a view to them reconfiguring the units to accommodate the groupings.

At present St John of Gods are not open to taking families with children, as they feel that this could have an impact on their tenants in the 21 units. This means that only family groupings containing adults only can be considered. On this basis discussions are also ongoing in relation to their use as part of the strategy for the re-housing of people who are exiting congregated settings within the County