Site selected for interim children's respite centre
The HSE has identified a location for a new planned children's respite facility in Monaghan.
The five bedded residential facility will be house at a property in the townland of Urbalkirk, approximately eight kilometres from Monaghan town.
The HSE has been advised by Talbot Group on the matter.
It is expected to be fully operation at the beginning of Q3 this year.
HSE Estates meanwhile are working to establish a permanent new five bedroom respite service to catering specifically for children.
The HSE meanwhile are continuing to look at a property in Cootehill, which has the potential to replace the existing but outdated Day Activation Centre for adults with disabilities in Cavan Town.
The existing Clogher House facility at Rathcorrick was scheduled for decommissioning as far back as 2018. However, it continued to be utilised despite unease over the building's unsuitability as well as concerns for future capacity with the number of soon-to-be young adults with severe/profound disabilities to increase over the coming five years.
An eight figure sum has been ring-fenced for delivering new projects, obtained following approval from the National HSE Capital and Property Steering Group.
It follows €20m spent on a new Holy Family School, and €7.5 million that was recently approved to replace the existing Drumlin House in Cootehill, again where there were concerns over capacity.
Commitment has also been given to working with the HSE and local providers on an expansion of services at two other existing facilities in Monaghan- Steadfast House and Errigal Truagh.
Steadfast House in Monaghan, an adult service, provides 840 bed nights, as well as day services.
One option open to the HSE with regards its children's respite plan to the repurposing of an existing property.
This will now move to 1500 respite bed nights after approval from the HSE according to Senator Robbie Gallagher.
The Fianna Fáil Oireachtas representative said a business case had been submitted and approved for the development.
“Steadfast House in County Monaghan provides respite care to adults and operates under a contracted Service Arrangement with HSE Community Healthcare Disability Services. It had been funded by the HSE to deliver 840 respite bed nights per annum. Now, following a recent successful business case submission Steadfast House will be in a fully funded position to provide up to 1500 respite bed nights per annum under the Service Arrangement,” he said.
Senator Gallagher meanwhile thanked Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte for following through on commitments given by her after engagement with the stakeholders.