13 May 2010
The HSE has announced that Knockamann, the 10 residential bungalows and associated day resource centre built in the grounds of St. Ita’s, Portrane, will be in use by the end of the year will be very welcome in the Donabate and Portrane area. Not only will this mean vastly improved conditions and facilities for patients and staff, but as many as 40 new nursing jobs will be created.
The announcement was warmly welcomed by Trevor Sargent, who has for a long time been campaigning to have the currently dormant facility completed and put to use. After his latest meeting with John Moloney TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Sargent said “I’m very pleased that the issue of the dormant bungalows can now be put to rest. The news that additional staff are to be recruited is a great bonus for the area and the patients. All in all, this is one result where everyone gains.”
The recruitment of the new staff will begin immediately, as will a period of liaison with families in preparation for the moving of patients. The new facility will provide single room accommodation for as many as 60 clients. Up to now, most of these have been accommodated in wards of up to 20 in a vey old building.
The new buildings were handed over to the HSE in July 2009 and equipping and furnishing was completed in December 2009. Recruitment of the additional staff needed to operate the facility will now begin, with the hope that the facility will be fully operational by the end of this year.
