Annalee View respite service
Deputy Smyth warned that the closure and possible long-term shutdown of Annalee View respite service would affect 400 families in Cavan and Monaghan. The Tánaiste said he would ask the Minister's office to come back to her on the specific case.
On a number of occasions, I have raised the Annalee View respite service in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency. It is the only facility we have. It is a five bed facility. It had been used very frequently by families in the Cavan and Monaghan area. More than six months ago it closed. There are now reports from the HSE that the house has an oil leak and will be completely closed for the foreseeable future. This affects 400 families throughout Cavan and Monaghan. Deputy Ó Caoláin and I attended a public meeting held by the parents' action group and we heard from the parents about how they feel ignored and neglected. They are completely justified in those feelings because the HSE has failed abysmally to replace that service. I have put this question to the relevant Minister. What is the plan to put respite services back in place in Cavan and Monaghan?
Comment on this
I know the Deputy has raised this issue previously and I cannot remember whether I told her I would get the Minister to speak to her directly on it. I do not have the details on individual respite places for Cavan and Monaghan but I will ask the Minister's office to come back to the Deputy on it.