Virus shuts down respite facility
A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed to The Anglo-Celt last week that the Killygowan centre had been operational but subsequently impacted by COVID-19 and, as a result, “required to close” due to public health requirements.
The operation of a temporary respite centre in Cavan for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism was forced to close due to the Covid pandemic just months after it had opened.
Families of service users had been waiting almost a year for the HSE to find a suitable location, and then months more for HIQA to sign off on the chosen site, before it finally opened at Killygowan near Cavan Town towards the end of last year.
However, the onset of COVID-19 meant a new five-bed overnight unit at the facility was unable to open at all, having initially intended to welcome respite stays from around mid-February.
A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed to The Anglo-Celt last week that the Killygowan centre had been operational but subsequently impacted by COVID-19 and, as a result, “required to close” due to public health requirements.
“Cavan Monaghan Disability Services will be in contact with all service users who attended and/or who are on the waiting list in due course in relation to the reopening of respite services in accordance with Infection Prevention Control and Public Health Guidance,” the spokesperson clarified.
They added that the introduction of service users to any respite service going forward will be based on the “needs of the person involved” and managed on a “case by case” basis within public health guidelines.
Meanwhile, work to repair Annalee View respite unit in Cootehill is continuing, with the HSE hoping the site may be ready to reopen by April 2021.
The five-bed facility was forced to shut at the start of 2019 following the discovery of a oil-leak on the site.
Up until then, the Annalee View Respite Centre had provided week-on-week-off respite for almost 400 families (26 weeks adult respite, 26 weeks child respite) in Cavan and Monaghan.
In the interim, Steadfast House in Monaghan and St Christopher's Centre in Cavan had been providing respite services for people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities.
Separately, the HSE has clarified its position with regard the status of the group home for persons with disabilities constructed at Drummond Otra, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.
The Bóthar Oirialla Group home, completed by Respond Housing Agency, is a five-bed residential setting for persons with physical and sensory disability needs.
A list of any "outstanding minor works” to be completed at the group home has been compiled by the HSE Estates and forwarded to Respond Housing Association “for their consideration”.
The HSE spokesperson added:“Whilst the funding requirement needed to operate this long-term supported housing initiative is not within our current budget parameters, the HSE will continue to seek the resources required to open the facility through the National estimates process. The HSE is acutely conscious of the needs of the prospective residents and we will continue to liaise with them, their families and with Respond Housing Association.”