Call grows to transform vacant Meath school building into assisted living accommodation
A Trim councillor has called for an old school building to be transformed into an assisted living accommodation for elderly people or those with disabilities.
Speaking at June’s district meeting, Councillor Noel French called for urgent progress on the future of the former St. Mary’s National School building on Patrick Street, which has lain vacant for over 15 years.
Cllr French said he would like to see the property used to provide supported accommodation for those in need of assisted living.
“From my point of view I would like to see some sort of supported accommodation there for people who need assisted living such as the elderly or those with mental or physical disabilities,” he said on a social media post.
“This old school has been lying vacant now for 15 years. It is unsightly in a town which has won the Tidy Towns three times.”
“It is also falling into dereliction and the longer it remains unoccupied the more expensive it will be to restore it to use.”
"The building was transferred to the Department of Education by the Sisters of Mercy as part of the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.”
The councillor added that Education Minister, Helen McEntee TD, had said to him that the Department is awaiting further details from the Council before contacting the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) to begin drafting the terms of a long-term lease on the property.