Rehab gets go-ahead for Grove Island centre in Limerick

CARE provider Rehab has secured planning permission to open a community rehabilitation centre at the Grove Island complex.

The company had sought planning permission from Limerick City and County Council to change the use of a number of offices to a health centre, clinic, and therapy unit for the provision of medical and health services.

In documents sent to local authority planners, Laura Keane, the director of health and social care services at Rehab, said the proposed unit “will comprise a modern state-of-the-art centre incorporating a range of therapy rooms, clinical rooms and gym, with a range of offices, meeting rooms and training rooms available to disability agencies in the region”.

The centre, she added, is available for use by HSE therapy staff and disability organisations within the region.

“This proposed project is a collaborative and fresh approach with statutory and non-statutory agencies, combining the delivery of therapy and rehabilitation, support and information services,” she added.

Initially, eight people will work in the centre, with around 20 clients accessing the centre daily.

The staff headcount will eventually grow to around 40 people, she added.

Independent northside councillor John Gilligan welcomed the development.

“Rehab has been a central player in welfare in Limerick for many many years. This location is close to the centre of town, so it should be central for many people. So I am absolutely delighted, and wish them all the best in the future. It will bring more people into the area, and that has to be a good thing,” he told the Limerick Leader.

Rehab Group was given planning permission by City and County Council, subject to five conditions. These include a stipulation the centre opens between 7am and 8pm daily, and at least 40 parking spaces must be provided.