Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
1131. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the HSE is in ownership of a swimming pool facility at Elm Park, Dublin 4; and her plans to ensure that it be preserved to provide additional swimming facilities for the local community. [32789/26]
View answerThe HSE has acquired a portfolio of properties at Elm Park Green to support the provision of service delivery. Elm Park Green is also to be a key enabler for the delivery of the new National Maternity Hospital through the provision of accommodation for a number of decanted services, currently located in St Vincent’s University Hospital. In addition, there is significant demand from existing HSE services to be accommodated within this area, the planning of which will be supported by feasibility studies and spatial planning.
The “pool” building at Elm Park Green, whilst initially designed for the provision of a swimming pool, is actually a shell and core structure which is currently filled in with a suspended floor i.e. currently no “pool” exists. To convert this building to a fully operational swimming pool will require significant investment.
As part of the feasibility assessment and spatial planning process, the HSE is currently in the process of offering the available accommodation including the “pool” building at Elm Park Green to internal HSE stakeholders (service providers). In the event that there is no requirement internally, the HSE will then commence a disposal strategy.
The HSE adheres to its statutory obligations and is required to offer surplus assets in the first case to the Land Development Agency and then to other State stakeholders (including Local Authorities) under DPER Circulars 11/15 Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets & 17/16 Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property. It is only when there is no interest expressed by other State entities that a property is placed on the open market.
