Major boost for disability supports

Planning permission is expected to be lodged early in the New Year for major capital investment in disability and respite services across Cavan and Monaghan.

Central among the projects is the long-awaited replacement of the Rathcorrick Day Activation Unit (DAU) outside Cavan Town, and the development of a new five-bedroom children’s respite centre in Monaghan - projects that local campaigners have been seeking for several years.

The replacement of the ageing DAU at Rathcorrick, which was identified for decommissioning as far back as 2018 due to being deemed “inadequate” and not meeting modern disability service standards, has taken a significant step forward, with key approvals now in place.

A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed to the Celt that officials will now liaise with the developer and HSE Cavan Monaghan Disability Services to agree the internal layouts of the new facility.

“The developer is targeting to have these agreed with the HSE no later than January 2026,” the spokesperson said, adding that planning permission is expected to be lodged shortly thereafter. “The HSE Capital and Estates Dublin and North East office will also liaise with the HSE solicitor over the coming months to agree the template legal documents for the lease.”

Meanwhile, keys to the property that will house the flagship five-bed children’s respite centre in Monaghan have already been handed over to the HSE Capital and Estates team.

The premises at Drumbear on the Ballybay Road will now undergo renovation, with the project having progressed through the preliminary design stage. The appointed design team is currently preparing a planning application, which the HSE intends to submit by the end of January 2026.

Subject to statutory planning approval, the next phase will involve the preparation of tender documentation, followed by construction works, which the HSE hopes to complete and have operational by the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to planning and HIQA registration.

In the interim, Cavan-Monaghan disability services have been operating a temporary two-year lease on a residential property at Urbalkirk, on the outskirts of Monaghan town, to provide respite services for children in the county.

Operated by the Talbot Group and funded until September 2026 pending further budget allocations, concerns have been raised about the potential for a gap between the end of the interim service at Rainbow Lodge and the opening of the new Monaghan respite facility. This was highlighted most recently in the Dáil by Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy.

“It would be completely unacceptable if Rainbow Lodge were closed before the permanent centre opened,” said Deputy Carthy in the Dáil before Christmas. “Even the new centre with five bedrooms is going to be at or above capacity on day one. I suggest it would make eminent sense for the HSE and the Department to ensure that Rainbow Lodge is maintained as a respite centre, even beyond the construction and completion of the new centre.”

Pressure on respite services in the region remains intense.

Annalee House in Cavan continues to operate at capacity, alternating weekly between adult and child respite, while Steadfast House in Monaghan has had to expand rapidly, with annual respite nights increased from 840 to 1,500 following additional funding.

In Cavan, Mountain View Respite House - a four-bed facility for adults with physical and sensory disabilities - opened last month and is already fully registered with HIQA.

Plans though are also advancing for a stand-alone adult respite centre in Cavan, with capital submissions currently under consideration by the HSE Capital and Property Steering Committee, and which, if approved, would mean both counties would finally have dedicated and separate adult and children’s respite facilities.

Lastly, work is underway to identify a site for a new Day Activation Unit at Monaghan’s Davnet’s campus - with “several options” currently being examined; while proposals to redevelop Drumlin House Day Services in Cootehill continue to be driven forward by a joint HSE-led working group. Planning has already been granted, and the group meets on a monthly basis.