Written answer
Disability Services
Equine therapy at Toghermore remains under consideration pending a Health Planning Analysis; no final decision has been made.
80. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if equine therapy facilities will be developed at the HSE’s Toghermore campus in Tuam, County Galway. [64901/26]
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.
This Government and I are fully committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the services and supports they need, throughout the country including those in Galway.
The Toghermore house and its surrounding lands, comprising approximately 40 acres, are owned and operated by the HSE.
The HSE’s Integrated Health Area Manager for Galway and Roscommon has commissioned a Health Planning Analysis to develop a Development Control Plan for the health area, to inform future needs of HSE services in the area.
The tender process for these consultancy services has now been completed, and a successful bidder has been identified with the contract expected to be awarded shortly.
As part of this work, Toghermore house and its surrounding lands will be assessed to determine their potential role in meeting future service needs. This assessment will include consideration of a range of possible uses for the site, including the possible development of an equine therapy facility.
Any decision regarding the future use of the site will be informed by the findings of the Health Planning Analysis and made in conjunction with the relevant HSE services.
While no final decision has been made regarding an equine therapy facility, the option remains under active consideration as part of the ongoing planning process.
I can assure the Deputy that the Department will continue to engage with the HSE on this matter and monitor progress on the future development of the Toghermore site.
This Government is committed to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services and to better support the needs of children with additional needs in Ireland.
Once again, I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue which is a priority for the Minister and the whole Government.