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Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Cuisle respite centre closure

Summary

Senator Leyden backed the call for action on the Cuisle closure, saying he had spoken to the Minister of State and would keep fighting the decision. The Chair repeatedly ruled him out of order as he named individuals and went over time.

I thank Senator Hopkins for raising an issue that is causing us great distress. I am calling on the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to come to this House, although I know we are meeting him tomorrow to discuss this matter. Last Friday, the regional manager, Tony Cunningham, called a meeting at 4 p.m. and informed the staff of Cuisle, the national holiday and respite centre of the Irish Wheelchair Association that the facilities at Donamon, Roscommon, were closing on 29 November with the loss of at least 45 jobs and the removal of a service for wheelchair users, their families and supporters, that has been there for the past 22 years. The centre is on the grounds of the Donamon Castle which is in the ownership of the Divine Word Missionaries who have been there since 1939. The lease of which expires in 2026. I am calling on Ms Rosemary Keogh, the chief executive officer of the Irish Wheelchair Association, to answer my telephone calls and talk to me about the decision she has made.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator knows he should not be naming people.

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I know, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I have located the chairman, Mr. Martin Kelly, and I ask him to telephone me. I know he works for Monaghan Mushrooms.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

I do not want the Senator to give names in the Chamber. He is abusing his privilege.

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I ask him to please inform me why he is callously closing this facility in Donamon, Roscommon, which I fully support.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator has gone well over his time.

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My daughter, Councillor Leyden, has received 31,000 hits in respect of this. I want the same-----

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator is well over his time.

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-----time as Senator Hopkins.

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The Senator got the same time.

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The telephone is ringing.

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I want to tell the Chamber that on-----

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

Leaders have three minutes and everybody else has two minutes.

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-----on 6 and 7 November, the Irish Wheelchair Association is running its fundraiser called Little Angels. It is a very strange situation where it is closing a great facility in Roscommon and it is having its Little Angels fundraising event tomorrow and the next day. I will continue to raise this issue in the House and to fight for this. I do not care what rule I break. I am going to do my best, with Senator Hopkins and others, to get this decision reversed.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator is out of order.

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I am very much in order, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

The Senator is out of order. I call Senator Craughwell.

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