Throughout the lifetime of the Government, I have emphasised the need to maintain and expand the services that exist for older people within our communities. The Templemore community care project is a group that oversees the provision of a range of vital services, including day care for older people, a community preschool, community social work, family support services, Traveller support services and an invaluable meals on wheels service. The work of this group is the heartbeat of a very wide-ranging community. They provide a lifeline for an ever-growing number of people in Templemore and neighbouring parishes. Services are currently delivered from a premises in the town. Day care attendees range between 75 and 90 years of age. Restrictions on space prevent the extension of services to those aged 65 to 75. One community room acts as both sitting room and dining room, and there are no outdoor recreational areas. Access to physiotherapy and other ancillary services is by chairlift. Underlining this issue of space is the fact that some clients can be catered for only one day a week, with an ever-growing waiting list for places. Existing facilities just about allow for the cooking of meals for the day care attendees and meals on wheels clients. Capacity to meet the ever-growing demand does not exist in the current location.

There is, however, a solution to this situation. In the heart of Templemore is a now vacant convent building occupied by the Sisters of Mercy since 1873. It contains large spaces and stands on 2.5 acres of beautiful grounds. This building, which is in remarkably good condition, provides the perfect setting for the provision of services in the community. The building has the capacity to accommodate and greatly expand key services to support the elderly, children, families and marginalised groups. This former convent, which has overseen the education of a huge percentage of the local population, holds the key to the present and future care of generations to come. The local committee has secured agreement on the purchase of this cherished building. The committee will make the maximum contribution possible towards its purchase. This will be enhanced by the generosity of local people who are conscious of the need for the ongoing and increased provision of invaluable services.

The cost of securing this building cannot be undertaken without financial assistance from the State. The HSE has a duty of care to meet the needs of those served by Templemore community services. Their contribution to its purchase is crucial to its future. I ask the Taoiseach and his officials to engage with the HSE and other State agencies to secure their financial assistance to complete the purchase and alteration of this building. Templemore social services is essentially a voluntary group. On a daily basis, they deliver vital support for older people. The many people from Templemore and surrounding parishes benefit enormously. Those people greatly appreciate the quality of care and attention. The Government, through its agencies, must give practical and financial support to a very deserving project.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I wish to begin by expressing my appreciation, and, I am sure, that of everybody in this House, of everybody who has worked or is working or volunteering with Templemore Community Services Centre and indeed day centres right across Ireland. We are lucky to have around 300 day centres and around 300 meals on wheels locations right across the country. I am conscious that some of these organisations are run directly by the HSE, but so many of them, although grant-aided by the HSE, are overwhelmingly run and supported by volunteers with a real Irish sense of meitheal. In answering the Deputy’s question, I take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank people working in Templemore Community Services Centre and all such centres right across Ireland.

I very much noted in his contribution the esteem in which the organisation is held and how vital the services it provides are to the local community. He is right that it is not unfair to say that when organisations provide such vital services, they should expect the State to step up and partner with them to enable delivery. It is not good enough just to thank people; we must try to support them as well.

Having spoken to the Minister for Health on this, I know that Templemore Community Services Centre has expressed an interest in the old Convent of Mercy. I understand the HSE has issued a letter of support to Templemore Community Services Centre in relation to its requirement for additional space to develop its services. The HSE has committed to me that it will engage directly with the centre. Therefore, the need for additional space is acknowledged and supported by the HSE. We very much look forward, as a Government, to doing all we can to support Templemore Community Services Centre in its efforts on this.

The service provides day care services five days per week, with a maximum daily capacity at the site of 20 people. As the Deputy pointed out, the centre needs and wants to do more, and it needs more space to achieve this. The core annual funding for the site is €263,303, which is provided for the provision of the day services and meal collection services. However, we will work with the Deputy and Templemore Community Services Centre to determine whether more progress can be made on advancing its interest in the convent site.

I thank the Taoiseach for his consideration of this proposal. Tomorrow morning, the HSE will meet representatives of the local action committee. It is important that when they put forward a proposal to the Department of Health, it is received favourably and some funding is provided immediately. I am very familiar with the local group who work behind the scenes. They are very dedicated, committed and hard-working. I have met them on several occasions. Their determination to continue to see their work benefit the community is inspiring. I have given the committee much time and advice and I am convinced of the merits of the project. We have to ensure the centre gets some capital funding to make sure the project comes to fruition. When the HSE provides a report to the Department, some financial support should be granted to allow the project to proceed.

I know time is getting short around here but that was very quick and efficient. I stood up only a minute ago but the Deputy has said the HSE and committee are having the meeting tomorrow. That worked out well. This is an important issue. I am pleased to hear from the Deputy that the meeting between the HSE and Templemore Community Services Centre will take place tomorrow.

The Government fully recognises and agrees with the Deputy and the centre that there is a need for additional space. We have to provide the opportunity and space for proper engagement between the HSE and the community services, but I am aware that the Government, including the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, are committed to doing what they can to support the organisation. I hope we have shown good faith in this regard over recent years through what we have invested in older people’s services. In fact, the budget for 2025 will bring investment in older people’s services next year close to €3 billion, representing an increase of €349 million on the figure for this year. We have increased the budget for older people’s services by approximately 50% in the lifetime of the Government, and I hope that shows the value we attach to caring for older people in our community. We will continue to keep a close eye on this.