Martin Heydon TD speaks out against HSE’s proposed sale of Teach na nDaoine

A GROWING wave of concern has erupted over the fate of Teach na nDaoine, a community developed hub in Kilcullen, as the HSE has now put it up for sale.

The building, a former dispensary, was transformed through local dedication—hand refurbished, extended, and furnished between 2015 and 2024, with a total investment of around €164,407.

Seventy one percent of the funding came from public grants, including Town & Village, National Lottery, HSE Community & Voluntary, and others.

Local residents, tradespeople, and councils played a major role in bringing the centre to life as a day centre and social activity space for older people Despite an agreement last year to transfer ownership to Kildare County Council—since the council already owns the land—the HSE has backtracked and decided to market the building publicly.

Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer and others such as Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon have pushed for the council to acquire the property at a fair price, reinforcing its vital use as a seniors’ centre.

Martin Heydon TD spoke out against this in an online post, and wrote:

“I have been disappointed at the difficulties experienced by Kildare County Council in trying to acquire the Teach na nDaoine building in Kilcullen.” 

He continued: “Working with my colleague Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer we are aware that Kildare County Council remain interested in acquiring the property for community use. We are also very aware of the public and local funding and community input into the building since it was first leased by the local community from the HSE in 2015.” 

“I am determined that the approach proposed by the HSE changes and I’m raising this at the highest level to ensure that Teach Na nDaoine is there for the benefit of all of the community long into the future. I have always said that I would love to see a community facility at the heart of Kilcullen and I will continue to work towards that aim in conjunction with Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer,” he concluded.

As protest continues, public pressure mounts. Will Teach na nDaoine remain a community resource or slip into private hands? The coming weeks will be decisive for Kilcullen’s seniors—and for the legacy of community action in the town.