I refer to the former St. Finan's Hospital in Killarney, a well built stone building which stands on 30 acres of land on the northside of the town which borders both sides of the bypass. It is a listed building, for which plans for its future use need to be formulated. We are all aware of what happened this week to a similar building, the former Our Lady's Hospital in Shanakiel. Much of it was burnt to the ground. At one time there were 800 patients and 800 staff at St. Finan's Hospital. Years ago the building and lands were owned and managed by Kerry County Council, but they were then transferred into the ownership of the HSE. On behalf of many interests in Killarney and surrounding areas, I raised the issue of the future plans for the building and lands at forum meetings of HSE south. It is important that they are not sold to private interests. The Government and the Minister for Health need to work together to formulate a plan for what is to be done with this valuable property. I sincerely hope it is insured and that there is security in place 24/7.

Killarney is to shortly have a new community hospital which is expected to be built on part of the lands surrounding the former hospital. I am asking the HSE to liaise with Kerry County Council on the proposed use of the remaining land. As all Members are aware, we are experiencing a shortage of housing and many houses could be built on these lands. Also, part of the grounds could and should be used to provide a safer route from the town onto the bypass. There have been many accidents at the Lewis Road junction and further accidents could be avoided if another access road to the bypass was provided. The former hospital building could be adapted to provide social housing apartments or offices or for amenity use and made available to local voluntary sports clubs and other groups. As parts of the roof are leaking, the building will soon be derelict. As it is situated adjacent to the Fitzgerald Stadium, it would be a shame if it were allowed to fall into dereliction. If the property was owned by private interests, it would not be left unused, as it is very valuable. It was suggested previously that the land could be used as a graveyard or a car park. As there are many uses to which it could be put, it should not be left idle. As I said, if the property was in private ownership, it would be developed and used.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am not familiar with the site, but I can assure the Deputy that the HSE would be very interested in working with local communities if there were viable proposals for its future use. Clearly, they would have to be stand-alone proposals. I am sure any Department would support a local initiative of that nature. I will ask the Minister of State with responsibility for housing, Deputy Damien English, to examine whether there are opportunities and demands in the area. The Deputy will be aware that there has been a considerable trawl of properties in State ownership in an effort to respond to social housing needs. Where a property is identified, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is keen to support proposals for its use, but they must make sense in the context of the social housing programme in meeting demands and so on. The Minister, Deputy Michael Ring, has reminded me that this year Killarney House was restored as part of an initiative taken by Fáilte Ireland and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys. That is indicative of the Government's interest in restoring assets that can become considerable tourist attractions for communities. I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the appropriate Ministers to see what can be done to respond to them. If there is a local group that is putting plans together for which there is a solid business case, the Government will be keen to examine them in the context of whether they could be factored in in planning the future use of the site.

I thank the Minister for his reply. I am happy to say, without fear of contradiction, that my late father played a big role in ensuring the restoration of Killarney House was provided for in the capital programme in 2010.

Hear, hear.

He did not put any money into it. There was talk but no money. It was the former Minister, Jimmy Deenihan, who put the money in with me. Talk is all the Deputy's late father put in.

Will the Minister please allow Deputy Danny Healy-Rae to continue, without interruption?

The programme was put in place before the Minister, Deputy Michael Ring, landed.

He can stick that in his pipe and smoke it.

That is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Good man.

Talk is all the late Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae put in.

The Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, mentioned that there had been a trawl of properties owned by the State. Why then is the Government not already aware of this property? I have raised the issue several times at forum meetings of HSE south in County Hall in Cork. I call on the Government to ensure the building will not be allowed to become derelict to avoid the possibility of it burning down. The lands are very valuable in the context of social housing provision. They are located at the back of St. Allman's Terrace and border Lewis Road, which means that they are very accessible.

The Deputy cannot take advantage.

We need - this is directed at the Minister, Deputy Michael Ring-----

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae has exceeded his time and is depriving others.

There is a need for a road to be built through the lands to ensure the safety of people accessing the bypass.

We will use the Deputy's machinery to do it.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae will not have another opportunity to come in because he has taken an additional minute.

I recall that Jimmy Deenihan, who was a Deputy for many years, was a huge advocate of the restoration and reopening of Killarney House. It was a proud day for him when the Ministers, Deputies Heather Humphreys and Michael Ring, opened different phases of the project.

The person who provided the money was not invited.

I am sure there will be room for a saxophone playing department within the restored Killarney House to recognise the contribution made by the Healy-Rae family. As I said, if there are uses to which the property could be put and businesses cases could be made in that regard, the Government will be keen to examine them but only in the context of the social housing programme that has to deliver to very tight schedules in areas where there is genuine need. I cannot give a guarantee on the use of the property, but I will ask the appropriate Ministers to examine its potential within their ambitions to fulfil their plans.