One of the longest running centres for adults with special needs is facing closure because of serious concerns with issues there.
The Camphill Centre at Ballytobin, Callan, Co Kilkenny was set up in 1979 and currently has 19 residents, some of whom have been there for more than 30 years.
All except one - a teenager - are adults.
Ballytobin is operated by the Camphill Communities of Ireland as a therapeutic community for people with multiple disabilities.
The Health Information and Quality Authority is now engaged in a legal process with Camphill because of what it says are serious concerns about safety and the quality of service in Ballytobin.
HIQA has issued a notice that it is cancelling the registration of the Camphill Centre at Ballytobin which means that unless the HSE finds someone else to run it, the centre will have to close and all residents will have to be moved elsewhere. This could take months.
Camphill Ireland issued a statement which confirms it has been advised by HIQA that its Ballytobin Community is to have its registration cancelled.
It si now in the process of transferring the running of the community to the HSE.
It said: "In the main we provided a good service in Ballytobin - and we are now determined that a smooth transition to the HSE will take place to minimise the impact of this decision for the residents and their families.
"We expect that many of our employed staff will support the HSE, especially during the transition period, but regrettably our volunteers who have supported the centre over many years will no longer be involved."
A meeting with residents and their relatives is due to take place later today in Callan.
