HSE spends €9m on leases in three years

Over nine million euro has been spent by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on leasing premises across Cork over the past three years. There are 43 buildings currently being rented in the city and county, with a cost this year of €2.9million, averaging approximately €1,300 per week for each property. In 2009, the HSE paid out just under €3million in leases and last year, the figure rose to €3.1million.

The information, released yesterday, Thursday at the Regional Health Forum South Meeting also detailed that out of the 43 leased properties, six provided mental health services, three are health care centres while a further three are primary care centres. A number of other HSE services included child and adolescent psychiatry and homeless services, which had two premises each. Of the buildings utilised, three will reach the end of their lease this year, while a further 19 have less than 12 months on their agreements. However, one property’s lease will remain for another 23 years.

The Assistant National Director of Estates with the HSE South, Pat McCarthy outlined in May that when current leases for office accommodation expire, policy would dictate that they should not be renewed. “If there is an ongoing need for the accommodation, the Estates Department, in consultation with the service manager, will seek to identify vacant existing space suitably located and which is owned by the HSE,” he said.

Fine Gael councillor, John Buttimer who put forward the questions at the forum meeting added that the monies paid by the HSE across Cork for leased properties was “consistent” with the rest of the country. He added that the HSE was looking to save money and as leases would not be renewed, services would be “absorbed” back into existing HSE buildings. However, he added that services like those for children and adolescents needed to be on a localised basis. “There are some services that need to be held in the community,” he said. Cllr Buttimer highlighted that there was a possibility of subletting from existing community organisations in such cases.

“We would also be looking into extending opening hours, like 8am to 4pm for one service and 5pm-9pm for another. That would be maximising the use of the building,” added Cllr Buttimer.