A new respite house for Monaghan will be operational by October 1st of this year. The news was confirmed by Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte who travelled to Monaghan this week to meet with various groups working with children and adults with special needs. Following her visit, the Minister also announced that a €3.1milllon has been secured for a brand-new respite facility in Monaghan. Speaking to Northern Sound, Cavan/Monaghan TD, Deputy Niamh Smyth who attended the meeting heard the "harrowing everyday" struggles of parents locally who feel they have "no support" for their children and are doing it all on their own. While construction works will take some time to complete, the Talbot Group have been awarded the contract to provide respite in the interim at a location in Castleblayney.
It's a 2-year contract until the new facility is built, according to Deputy Smyth. The service will be operation seven days a week and the facility will be a 5 bedded residential respite house inclusive of a self-contained apartment. Deputy Smyth went on to "thank" the Cavan and Monaghan Disability Services Management Team on the ground who completed the procurement process with the providers. Also speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Brendan Smith welcomed what he described as a "very significant announcement" by Deputy Anne Rabbitte, Minister for Disabilities of substantial investment in the provision of new facilities and services for persons with disabilities in Cavan/Monaghan. Minister Rabbitte also announced that €4.6 million for the development of a new Day Service Centre to replace Clogher House in Rathcorrick, Cavan and €7.5 million to develop a new Day Service in Cootehill, Co Cavan to replace Drumlin House.
