Update: HSE Seeks Reprieve For Allenwood Centre As Families Voice Devastation

Karen Gorey, the daughter of a local with dementia who attends the centre, said the move happened "without consultation".

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has reached out to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP), urging them to maintain the social and recreational Centre in Allenwood for its vulnerable users pending further discussions.

The HSE is also seeking time to secure an alternative service provider if SVP ultimately ceases operations permanently.

Kfm reported earlier how families have been left devastated following the suspension of a social and recreational Centre in Allenwood.

It follows an announcement by the East Regional Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP).

The decision follows concerns regarding the organisation's governance and compliance structures.

Approximately 35 clients and their families have been informed of the suspension, with the centre not set to reopen in January.

It is understood that some service users became aware of the closure at their Christmas party.

In the interim, SVP has committed to offering a Meals on Wheels service to those who require it, while a full operational review of the daycare service is conducted.

Karen Gorey, the daughter of a local woman with dementia who attends the centre, said the move happened "without consultation".

She said it was very "abrupt and sudden".

The HSE are in the process of establishing a Daycare centre at nearby Kilmeague which will open next year.

Karen, however, believes that the health and well-being of service users will suffer.

She said there are people like her mother with dementia who have benefited immensely from attending the centre.

"They are going to regress. It's like removing a special needs unit from a school. These are vulnerable people. We need to be their advocates," she said.

Her mam has been attending the centre every Tuesday and Thursday, where she engages in a number of social activities.

"It's taken us a long time to get people to attend the group. It's not as simple as just bringing them somewhere else...I don't think there is an alternative to provide the services offered at the Allenwood Daycare Centre," Karen said.