Hope of funding to reopen treatment pool next year

Funding to reopen the hydrotherapy pool at the Hillside Centre in Cavan is expected next year.

The pool, which cost €440,000 to build, was used for only six months since it opened in 2018. Funding was made up of donations from local groups and members of the public and Enable Ireland, which runs services at the Hillside Centre.

Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte was shocked to discover the pool lying empty on a visit to Cavan last month and encouraged staff there and the HSE to submit a business case to her department.

In response to a Parliamentary Question from local TD Niamh Smyth (FF), Head of Service Disability in the local HSE healthcare service, Edel Quinn, said that business case has now been received.

“Enable Ireland has submitted a business case to the HSE, which is currently going through the business case process,” she said in a letter to Deputy Smyth.

“Funding to cover pay costs for a full-time pool attendant post and non-pay running costs of the pool are being sought.”

Enable Ireland confirmed to the Celt last month that annual costs of €56,858 were expected, including salary and running costs.

Hydrotherapy pools are used as part of rehabilitation programmes, with the temperature, movement of water and currents controlled to aid in the physiotherapy of the user. A decision on the allocation of any funding to the pool isn’t expected before next year’s operational budget. Ms Quinn says the local healthcare service “will seek to have the necessary funding provided in its 2023 budget allocation through its submission to national HSE via the Estimates Process”.

Remedial works are also needed as the pool has not been used in three years, with the lack of the necessary staff and pandemic restrictions impacting on services. It’s understood these works are currently being progressed with costs covered by Enable Ireland.

On her visit, Minister Rabbitte suggested the pool be opened to outside groups or organisations at a cost in order to secure further funding. The HSE has also confirmed this option is being investigated:

“Enable Ireland will also explore opportunities for providing access to the pool to other groups in the area and to have the pool available for evenings and weekends. It is intended that income generated from this extended usage will support the upkeep and maintenance of the pool.”

However, it’s not clear how extending the usage of the pool will impact on staffing, particularly as funding is only being sought for one full-time member of staff.

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