Use old clinic for rape crisis centre – Lawlor

Part of the old county clinic on Grogan’s Road should be used as a new base for the Rape Crisis Centre.

Cllr George Lawlor said that the newer section of the clinic shouldn’t be knocked and should be put to good use.

He said that while the new building is much needed there is still scope to utilise the former building.

‘The building in question is an extension to the original County Clinic built about 11 years ago consisting of Audiology (sound proofed observation room), office and waiting room. three ophthalmology rooms which is also used as Methadone Clinic 2 days per week.

‘There appears to be no facility attached to new building for this service.

‘This wing is completely wheelchair accessible also and could be used by any number of local groups. I know for a fact that the Wexford Rape Crisis Centre, who are bursting at the seams would jump all the opportunity to have the use of this building.

‘Beneath this extension there is a new store which is used for incontinence wear. Again, there appears to no store room in new building.

‘I certainly believe it would be a crying shame to knock this perfectly useable and relatively new section of the clinic. I have no argument with knocking the old portion or the clinic as it has certainly served its time for the people of Wexford and the facilities in the newly constructed Primary Care Centre I have no doubt will be state of the art and accessible to all.

‘The bottom line is that I’m calling on the HSE not to take the easy option and demolish a perfectly good wing of a public building that could be used not just by the services already in place but by others crying out for such facilities.’

Cllr Lawlor said he will be writing to the HSE to ensure that the usable section of the building isn’t demolished.