Residents not happy as HSE gets all-clear on methadone clinic
AN BORD Pleanála has given the go-ahead to the HSE to open a drug addiction clinic in Upper George’s Street, despite strong objections from local residents. In deciding to uphold County Council planning approval, the board went against the recommendation of its planning inspector who said the building should be restricted for office use only.
‘We are very disappointed and we are now considering our options,’ said a spokesman for the residents who opposed an application by the HSE for the retention of a change of use from a bank building to a health
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 services building after being informed that it is to be used as a methadone clinic.
In a submission to the appeals board, the HSE said it is possible that a Substance Misuse Service will be made available from the property along with services to deal with other forms of addiction but no final decisions have been made.
The planning inspector said the type of health services to be retained in the building, based on current use, came within the scope of office use and she recommended a restriction to this effect unless separate planning permission is applied for and granted.
The services currently offered in George’s Street include medical cards, European health insurance, home care packages, Fair Deal Scheme, staff payroll, GP Subsidy Scheme and pharmacy payments.
However, in upholding permission, the board said it did not agree with the planning inspector and was of the view that the use of the building is for the provision of any medical or health services.
This leaves the way open for the opening of a methadone clinic by the HSE which has operated the former ACC bank building as a community services centre without change-of-use permission for the past 20 years.
In the appeal, the HSE said there is no immediate plan at present to offer a Substance Misuse Service from the premises and the application was simply to regularise the use which has been going on for years.
The final decision on where such services will be delivered will focus on the best interests of the service users and consideration will be given to the concerns raised by members of the public, it said.
The objectors argued that the largely residential town centre area is not an appropriate location for a methadone clinic and would cause ‘daily nuisance, anti-social behaviour, intimidation and threats of violence’.