HSE Dublin and South East media statement
22 October, 2025
As one of its partner organisations, the HSE was pleased to be among those welcoming the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley T.D. recently to the St. Catherine’s Services Centre in Carlow, in further congratulations the community and voluntary agency on 50 years in operation at that premises.
It was following the donation to Carlow County Council by the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin of the former Mercy Convent Boys Primary School building, that the St. Catherine’s organisation began operating in 1975 from what has become its Centre on St. Joseph’s Rd. in the town.
Following a brief tour and overview of services provided at and from the St. Catherine’s Services Centre and facilitated by its CEO Niall Morris, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality cut a celebratory 50th birthday cake to mark the occasion!
Minister Foley was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’ Connor T.D.
The HSE helps fund the Social Prescribing and Traveller Health programme elements at the St. Catherine’s Services Centre and services for older people provided by the St. Catherine’s Services.
Speaking at the Centre on the day, Derval Howley (Head of Service/Health and Wellbeing, HSE Dublin and South East) said:
“The HSE was pleased to extend its congratulations to St. Catherine’s, with whom we work closely and be among those welcoming the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to the Centre. We were also delighted that Minister Foley got to meet those in St. Catherine’s whose work we value in terms of Social Prescribing and Traveller Health development.”
“Social Prescribing, such as the service operational here from the St. Catherine’s Services Centre, offers GPs and other health professionals a means of referring people to a range of non-clinical community supports which can have significant benefits for their overall health and wellbeing. Self-referrals are also facilitated. Service users are supported to access local voluntary community and social enterprise organisations or other services.
“The HSE’s Traveller Health Units focus on the health needs of Travellers and works to reduce health inequalities, ensuring linkage to healthcare and that the community’s issues are included in general health policies and services planning. The HSE’s Traveller Health Units, in operating at local level such as in Carlow, collaborates with Traveller organisations, Primary Healthcare Projects and the programme led from the St. Catherine’s Services Centre.”
St. Catherine’s Community Services Centre delivers a wide range of services to communities, groups and individuals and empowering communities to identify and meet the needs in their area. Among the services provided are:
- Services for older people, including Meals on Wheels and Socially Monitored Alarms/Senior Alert Service.
- Early Years Childcare and After School in St. Catherine’s and full day and sessional early years care in the Kilkenny Road Community Childcare and Family Centre.
- Family Support including one to one and group supports for all communities including general, Traveller and new communities support, Healthy Streets and Story Streets, Play therapy and Counselling; the Carlow Parenting Hub and the Carlow/Kilkenny Young Parent Support programme.
- Education, Training and Development including Community and Parental Education encompassing Learning for Everyday Life, Preparation for Work, Evening Classes and Adult Education.
- Education and training programmes including the Moving On Programme for Mothers.
- Making Connections one to one educational support for people who have become disconnected from mainstream training and education.
- New communities women’s groups and personal development women’s groups.
- Traveller Programmes including Community Development and Family Support, Traveller Men’s Health and Primary Health Care, Carlow Travellers Forum and the Tusla/Cuan Travellers Women’s Awareness service.
- The Carlow Social Prescribing Service aims to reduce social isolation and improve health and wellbeing.
- Community Savings Club.
Last updated on: 22 / 10 / 2025
