Former Laytown Health Centre to become new Adult Disability Day Service, delivering 30 places for local adults with disabilities

Former Laytown Health Centre to become new Adult Disability Day Service, delivering 30 places for local adults with disabilities

The HSE can confirm that the former Laytown Health Centre at Alverno Heights, Laytown, County Meath will be transformed into a new Adult Disability Day Service for people living in the Louth/Meath area.

The building became vacant following the opening of the new Laytown/Bettystown Primary Care Centre in May 2024 and has since been identified as a suitable location to expand local disability day supports.

Refurbishment works are being carried out by HSE Estates in line with the Dublin and North East Climate Plan, with the HSE Estates Sustainable Infrastructure Office funding the full build costs and the HSE Day Opportunities National Office funding design fees. On-site works are underway and, subject to construction timelines, the new service is planned to be ready for occupancy in mid 2027.

When operational, the Laytown centre will provide approximately 30 full-time day placements for adults with disabilities from the surrounding communities. A long-term lease will be agreed with RehabCare, which will operate the service in line with the HSE’s New Directions policy for adult disability day services.

This development forms part of the HSE’s ongoing implementation of New Directions and the wider focus on expanding community-based day supports for adults with disabilities. New Directions is the national framework for adult day services and focuses on person-centred, outcome-focused supports that help people with disabilities to live a life of their choosing in their own communities.

Commenting on the development, HSE IHA Manager for Louth and Meath, Paddy Clerkin said: “By re-using the former Laytown Health Centre, we are creating additional local places for adults with disabilities while making the best use of existing public assets. This new service will support people to build skills, take part in community life and plan for their future, in line with our New Directions policy and our commitment to person-centred care.”

The new centre will form part of the wider network of HSE-funded Adult Disability Day Services and Day Opportunities supports, which provide community-based services to adults with disabilities. Adult disability day services like the new Laytown centre are also a key part of supporting school-leavers and other adults with disabilities to access training, day services and community-based options as they move into adult life.

HSE Estates and Louth Meath Disability Services are also collaborating on the design and renovation of the site's outdoor and garden areas , as funding permits, to maximise accessibility and support health and wellbeing.

At this stage, overall project costs and the exact opening date are still being finalised. The HSE will provide updated information to service users, families, and local representatives as the project progresses.