Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John Brady, has called for immediate action to return River Lodge in Newtownmountkennedy to the HSE, after confirmation from the Minister that more than €310,000 has already been spent on security at the vacant site in 2026.
Deputy Brady said the latest expenditure brings the total amount of public money spent on the site to more than €4.5 million, representing an extraordinary waste of taxpayers’ money on a facility that was intended to provide IPAS accommodation, despite serious concerns being raised from the outset regarding its suitability.
Teachta Brady said:
“The revelation that more than €310,000 has already been spent on security at River Lodge in 2026 to date is simply staggering.
“This latest expenditure brings the total amount spent on the site to more than €4.5 million.
“From the very beginning, local residents and public representatives raised concerns about the suitability of River Lodge for the purpose intended. Those concerns were consistently dismissed, and the Government chose to press ahead regardless.
“Instead of listening to the community and engaging meaningfully with those concerns, the Government went over the heads of local residents and elected representatives. The result is that more than €4.5 million of taxpayers’ money has now been spent on a project that ultimately failed and a site that has remained unused for well over a year.
“This saga represents failure upon failure by Government.
“The over €310,000 spent on security in 2026 is all the more unbelievable when we consider that the Department carried out a review of security services in February 2026, where it stated that efficiencies had been identified.
“€310,000 spent on security for a vacant site this year does not seem very efficient.
“What is equally concerning is the painfully slow pace of the transfer of the site back to the HSE.
“We have repeatedly been told that the transfer will happen as soon as possible yet months later there remains no definitive handover date, no detailed timeline, and no clear plan for the future use of the site.
“The only explanation being offered for the delay relates to minor works, yet the process is dragging on and on while substantial amounts of public money continue to be wasted.
“This lack of urgency is completely unacceptable.
“Every single day that passes, more taxpayers’ money is being wasted on a site that remains unused.
“The decision to return the site to the HSE only came about because of the pressure I applied and the spotlight I put on this issue after exposing the extraordinary level of public money being squandered.
“The Government's failure to progress the transfer at any meaningful pace is deeply frustrating for the people of Newtownmountkennedy.
“The local community deserves answers.
“They deserve transparency regarding the ongoing costs, the status of the restoration works, and a date for the return of this facility to the HSE.
“I have engaged with a range of stakeholders who have ideas for the future use of this site and the priority now must be to complete the transfer without any further delay and begin a process to assess all options for its future development for the benefit of the community.”
ENDS