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Forty-bed mental health services facility remains unopened in Killarney

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FUNDING is not currently available to open and staff a major new mental health unit in Killarney, it has emerged. In September, Killarney Advertiser highlighted how members of the Kerry branch of the Psychiatric Nurses' Association were concerned that the brand-new complex was lying idle.

Following a meeting between the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA) and the area manager for the Health Service Executive South, Sinead Glennon, on Thursday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) informed the PNA that no funding was currently available to open and staff Deer Lodge, a new 40-bed mental health unit at St Margaret’s Road.

The PNA said it was told the funding for Kerry Mental Health Services of €1.65m announced in the 2017 HSE Service Plan would be spent exclusively on renovations works at the acute admission unit, Kerry University Hospital, Tralee. Deer Lodge will replace the current longstay O’Connor Unit on the grounds of St Finan’s Hospital, Killarney.

“Ms Glennon said that HSE South was actively attempting to source funding for the opening of Deer Lodge from the Department of Health and it was hoped funding would be made available in the coming months,” said Cormac Williams, Killarney, of the Kerry branch of the PNA.

“The staffing proposals as were outlined by the HSE for Deer Lodge were rejected as unacceptable by the PNA as the ratio of healthcare assistance to nurses proposed (1 HCAs for every two nurses) was far too high and would not be in keeping with a higher skill, therapeutic, recovery and rehabilitative-based model of care.”

The PNA has also expressed a wish to see new service concepts such as crisis intervention beds made available in the new Deer Lodge complex. “Currently no crisis intervention beds are available within Kerry mental service area,” said Mr Williams.
 


 
Above: Kerry PNA representatives Cormac Williams, Mary Delaney, Pat Murphy, Ruth Adams and Finbarr Murphy outside Deer Lodge in September when they highlighted the fact that the building was lying idle.

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Network Ireland Kerry discuss sustainable success

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Network Ireland Kerry held their third annual collaboration event last Wednesday at the Rose Hotel, Tralee. The theme was: “The Journey to Sustainable Success” which brought three industry experts together to talk about their own journey to sustainable successful.

Business professionals, entrepreneurs, and financial leaders came together for this highly anticipated event to learn about the journey from becoming a start-up, to a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), and a large SME.

The event was opened by AIB Branch Liaison for Network Ireland Kerry and AIB Castleisland Branch Manager, Colleen Shannon. It was MC’d by AIB Tralee Branch Manager, Stephen Stack.

Sarah Farrar of AINMHÌ, Garrett Dillon of Mr. Binman and Dillon Waste Ltd. and Susan Quirke-Crowley of Mounthawk Montessori School Group were among the speakers at the event.

These leaders spoke about their challenges, milestones, and breakthroughs they encountered, from launching an idea to scaling operations nationally.

Tara Elzingre of Tara Elzingre Consultancy, Zaneta Labuz-Czerwein of Rustic Boowa and Sharon Hartnett of U Coaching promoted their businesses for ‘Minute on the Mic’

Emily Reen, Network Ireland Kerry President, described the event as a testament to the power of partnership. She said: “The event underscored a powerful message: sustainable business success is not a solo journey. With the right partnerships, teams and financial tools, businesses of all sizes can grow with purpose, resilience, and long-term impact.”

Network Ireland Kerry will host their next monthly event on November 12 in Killarney and in collaboration with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, titled: “Gain Competitive Advantage in Your Business”. This event will be MC’d by Karen Ronan, 2025 National Vice President of Network Ireland and CEO of Galway Chamber. This event is open to non-members and members, and everyone is welcome from 6 pm for networking and refreshments, with the event taking place from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

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Minor injury clinic to open by this time next year

The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home. […]

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The Killarney Local Injury Clinic is expected to be open by Q3 2026, according to the HSE. The proposed unit will be located on the grounds of St Columbanus Home.

The timeline was confirmed in response to a Parliamentary Question from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill, who said the project will follow the relocation of the Community Nursing Unit from its current site to the grounds of the old St Finan’s Hospital. Once the transfer is complete, construction of the injury clinic can proceed.
Deputy Cahill described the two new health facilities as “a fantastic addition for Killarney and the wider East, Mid, and South Kerry regions” and noted they will help reduce waiting times at University Hospital Kerry A&E.
“I will continue to push for enhanced health services for our people,” added the Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Older People.
The new clinic is expected to provide urgent care services for local residents, easing pressure on hospital emergency departments and improving access to timely treatment in the Killarney area.

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