Day care centre to reopen in coming weeks

St Michael's Day Care Centre is expected to reopen at a new site in the Johnstown area of Navan in the next few weeks.

The HSE is believed to be close to finalising a deal on the use of an alternative premises in the Johnstown area.
The centre, which had been operating from a premises at the Loreto Convent closed with just four days notice in July.
Up to 120 elderly people who used the centre were left with no alternative facility.
It provided a social outlet as well as health checks, hot meals and advocacy services.
The Mayor, Cllr Tommy Reilly said they had almost succeeded in securing a premises in the Johnstown area. “We have worked tirelessly over the past few months to secure a premises,” he said. 
Hailing it as a victory for people power Deputy Peadar Toibín stated, “this is great news. At the start of the summer the HSE sought to close this invaluable service. They told the service users to go to other Day Care Centre’s around the county and in neighbouring counties.
“The Save Navan Hospital Campaign, the service users and others responded. We collected over 5,500 petition signatures and public meetings were held. I met with the HSE and there was a strong media and political response. Today we know as a result of all of that the service will reopen at the end of September at a new site.”
Deputy Tóibin said that while he welcomed the news 90per cent, it was a pity that the HSE would not return to the original site at the Loreto Convent.
“That site is in the centre of Navan. It is very peaceful and has wonderful mature gardens. It was free and we asked that the HSE carry out at the very least a costing of the necessary works to make that facility fully fire safe. This they have not done to date. The new site will have a rental cost and there will be some fit out costs,” he said.
A spokesperson for the HSE said they were working on securing an alternative premises for the service.