Public Statement regarding the former Convent Building and Grounds and the provision of an Autism Spectrum Facility for Scoil Chaitriona, Cappamore, issued on behalf of the Cappamore Housing Association CLG (CHA).
The Cappamore Housing Association CLG (CHA) wishes to make a public statement regarding the former Convent residence and grounds and the provision of an Autism Spectrum Facility for Scoil Chaitriona, Cappamore.
For information purposes, The CHA was established in 2007 as a Company limited by guarantee with charitable status and is an Approved Housing Body. Its core mission relates to the provision of Social and Residential Housing specifically for the elderly in the Parish of Cappamore.
In 2019, when the Sisters of Mercy placed the old Convent residence and grounds for sale on the open market, the CHA approached the Sisters with a proposal to acquire the property for use by the local community. It was anxious that the building would not fall into the hands of property developers and would be retained for public use. The formal acquisition was completed in 2020, when ownership was transferred from one Charity to another. It was a condition in the Deed of Transfer that the building would be used exclusively for Social and Residential Housing, with a portion of the front lawn area to be made available for public parking facilities.
The directors act collectively ON BEHALF of the Association, not on their own behalf. The board of trustees of a charity is collectively responsible for the oversight of that charity. Under Guidelines as issued by the Charities Regulator, charity trustees can delegate tasks, but they cannot delegate accountability.
There have been a number of protests and meetings in relation to the use of this property and on December 25th the CHA was notified that the gates were locked and chained and subsequently access to the property was blocked with silage bales and signs with potentially defamatory and certainly inflammatory content placed on the railings of the former Convent property.
We also wish to address the issue of the short term lease to Coolmine Therapeutic Centre (CTC) for residential purposes (only) for women and children. The CHA does not see the Convent building as an appropriate building for use as a Treatment/Rehabilitation Centre and has never agreed that it would be used as such, despite perceptions to the contrary. It will only be used as a residence on a short term basis as per planning permission for the building.
At recent public meetings convened by the Cappamore Community Group a number of items of information were placed in the public domain, on which the CHA has a different perspective. We do not intend to go through each of the issues, because we are anxious to continue to work collaboratively with the relevant interested parties and remain solution focussed.
There are a few key issues which need clarification.
Over the past few months, there have been public requests for the CHA to hand over the old Convent Building and/or the keys to same. Those requests must be viewed in the context of the guidelines for charities above and it is impossible to delegate responsibility or ownership of the Convent building and grounds – without going through due process.
The CHA were requested by Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) to lease the Convent building to them for the Ukranian Refugees in mid 2022. In late February, 2024, LCCC advised the CHA that the Ukrainians would be leaving the premises early and introduced Coolmine Therapeutic Centre as a possible replacement tenant.
The CHA initiated dialogue with the Board of Management of the school on 7th March and enquired if they were interested in leasing the building. Discussions and communication continued up to recently.
The CHA is very happy to transfer ownership of the Building and Grounds of the Convent to the owners of Scoil Chaitriona, however due process needs to be followed.
The CHA understood up until 25th April 2024 that the BoM of Scoil Chatriona were engaged in discussions with the Department of Education on the development of a new bespoke Facility as an Autism Spectrum Facility on the school’s existing site.
The CHA was first requested to hold a meeting to discuss a transfer of the old Convent to be used as a school facility on 17th May, 2024. This was the first time the CHA became aware of the wish of the BoM to abandon the original proposal for a new building and now wanted the transfer of the old convent Building instead. The CHA have worked to facilitate this new position on the part of the BoM since.
The CHA confirmed in writing on 26th June, 2024 that the Board of Management would be offered the opportunity to acquire the old convent and adjoining grounds. The CHA has advised its legal representatives to act to bring that situation about.
The CHA has asked Coolmine Therapeutic Centre not to exercise its right to the lease.
The CHA strongly supports the development of an Autism Spectrum Facility for the school and will support the school’s BoM to seek the appropriate planning changes for the use of the Convent property. We absolutely respect and share the commitment of those from other stakeholder groups to secure the provision of an Autism Spectrum Facility for Scoil Chaitriona and ask that the CHA’s efforts to provide Social and Residential housing for the elderly in Cappamore would be equally respected and supported by all stakeholder groups.
The CHA is engaged in the construction of 10 residential units for the elderly at the old Creamery site. The projected costs for that development are expected to be in excess of €3,400,000. The project is supported by a 20 year mortgage from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to a value of 95% of the costs. The CHA will be responsible for the remaining 5% (excess of €170,000)
We hope all stakeholders, while having different perspectives, will continue to work collaboratively to seek a positive outcome. We urge all concerned to act with appropriate respect for divergent views and to seek solutions and to avoid confrontation. As a Parish community, Cappamore has always been able to work together and accommodate different views – we commit to continuing to do that without unnecessary division.
Signed: P J Blackwell (Company Secretary)
On behalf of : Cappamore Housing Association CLG
Company No. 434765 Date: 28/12/2024
Cappamore /An Cheapach Mhór 