It follows previous issues of anti-social behaviour and dumping at the site
There have been calls for the Abbey Car Park at St. John of God in Celbridge to be used for community facilities, recreation and other purposes.
It follows previous issues of anti-social behaviour and dumping at the site, and is currently closed to the public.
St John of God currently operates Saint Raphael's services and school on the Clane road in the town.
Kildare County Council has now said that the Transport Department will re-engage with St. John of God regarding the re-opening of the car park, adding that the lands are already the subject of a compulsory purchase order in respect of the Celbridge Hazelhatch Mobility Corridor, which is now operative.
Speaking on Kildare Today, Labour Councillor for Celbridge-Leixlip MD Rupert Heather said previous issues have existed there:
"We're all aware of the issues at Abbey Car Park that happened some time back, and the massive clean up operation that had to be put into force, maybe St. John of God felt it was too challenging to re-open the car park.
"Parking in Celbridge is really stretched and at a premium, there's relatively small numbers of spaces there but they're desperately needed."
Cllr Heather added that the broader range of discussions now may centre on how the lands can be utilised in the future:
"The conversation is broader in terms of the use of Celbridge Abbey lands for the community, there used to be cafe and a playground there, there used to be more access in terms of community benefiting from there. It's a real shame that the community don't receive benefit from that."
He stopped short of criticising St.John of God, emphasising the importance of the work they do:
"I understand the important work St.John of God do and the pressure they're under, I really do. It's not meant to be a criticism of St.John of God by any means."
The full interview can be heard below:
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