Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John Brady, has called for far greater urgency in delivering the return of River Lodge in Newtownmountkennedy to the HSE, warning that every day of delay continues to cost taxpayers.
The call comes after Deputy Brady received correspondence from the HSE stating that the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration intends to return the property to the HSE in Q2 2026. However, they note that this timeline is dependent on the restoration of the property to a condition acceptable to the HSE, and there are currently no definitive plans in place for its future use.
Teachta Brady said:
“The vague nature of the response from the HSE is deeply concerning.
“The absence of a concrete date for the transfer of the site, the lack of detail regarding the restoration works underway, and the absence of definitive plans is shocking.
“This is absolutely unacceptable given the length of time that this site has been vacant and the scale of waste already exposed.
“We need the Government to provide far more detail in relation to this process, including information on the ongoing restoration works and ongoing day to day costs.
“Ultimately, we need far greater urgency in returning this site to the HSE and by extension to the Newtownmountkennedy community.
“I have had a number of meetings with relevant bodies and individuals who have interesting and exciting ideas about the future use of this site, and a process must be put in train to assess all options.”
Deputy Brady again highlighted the scale of waste at the site that he previously exposed:
“More than €2.8 million was spent at the site in 2024, and despite operations ceasing in December of that year, a further €1.4 million was spent in 2025 — including €1.3 million on security alone for an entirely empty facility.
“Every single day that passes, more taxpayers’ money is being wasted on a site that is lying idle.
“The belated move to transfer the site back 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.
“I have no doubt that it was the embarrassment caused by this exposure that forced Tánaiste Simon Harris to finally act.
“This level of waste is a kick in the teeth to the people of Newtownmountkennedy and to ordinary citizens already under severe pressure from the cost-of-living crisis.”
ENDS