‘Money in place’ for respite services across region

The Minister for Disability Norma Foley gave an update on respite and day care services in Cavan and Monaghan for people with disabilities.

Speaking on respite services for children and adults across both counties, Minister Foley said she knows the “key” aspect of this is overnight respite, as well as day-time care.

Money in Place

“We have the money in place, we are asking people locally now to communicate the availability or where they think there might be opportunities to do it,” she stated.

“It’s one thing to have a building, it’s another thing to ensure we have staffing in it but it is an absolute priority for this government.”

The Minister said the HSE has completed a national audit of respite services.

“Even before that I would know that there is a lack of sufficiency on the ground.”

Rainbow Lodge

Rainbow Lodge at Urbalkirk in Monaghan is currently being used as an interim space to provide children’s respite services, and Minister Foley said “funding has been made available” for the new respite service. What will become of the current Rainbow lodge facility when its current users move to their new space?

“I know there are lots of views on the ground here,” she added.

“I think we should look at all options.”

Minister Foley added she is aware of suggestions of another respite service or a day care service, but committed they are “open to looking at every potential possibility that might be there so that it delivers from a disability point of view”.

Day Activation unit

In relation to the Day Activation Unit in Monaghan, Minister Foley said “funding is being made available” however “finding the right location and all of that is a work on stream”.

“I’d like to see it done as quickly and as expediently as possible, but it is very much so on our line of vision for delivery,” she added.

However she told the Celt she “can’t say” if a location had been selected yet, and said this is a “matter for local services on the ground”.

“It’s very much so a priority,” she assured.

Special school

Coming from an education background, Minister Foley said her last visit to the area focused on special education provision, particularly in Monaghan, when she gave the “commitment” to deliver on that.

“I did deliver on that,” she said, adding that the Monaghan Community Special School in Castleblayney is an “interim set up”.

“I am committed to ensuring that there is an equality of opportunity in disability. The government for the first time have said that it is a priority.”

Asked for an update on the permanent special school, which is operating temporarily in the old Castleblayney College and serving 18 students, the Minister said it is “still being worked on”.

“It is being worked on as a priority... We will continue to do all that we can to locate the permanent space.”