The HSE has given an update on how they will deliver on a commitment by Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte to provide respite care for children and adults in County Monaghan. Northern Sound requested the information following the announcement last month by the Minister and local Senator Robbie Gallagher, that Monaghan would get dedicated respite centres for both children and adults out of a €15m national budget.
Monaghan is one of the few counties in Ireland that does not have its own dedicated respite centre for children, full-time respite centre for adults or special needs school. Monaghan parents of children with additional needs have been campaigning for many years to have their needs - and those of their children - met within their own county. Last month, in response to a question put down in the Seanad by Monaghan-based senator, Robbie Gallagher, Minister Rabbitte said she has "ring-fenced" funding for Monaghan out of the €15m budget available from her department.
And, the Minister conceded the current situation in Monaghan is "not acceptable". Robbie Gallagher followed this by saying "was up to the HSE to go out now and purchase or build a new property in County Monaghan, whichever is the quickest". Now, the HSE has confirmed to Northern Sound "The submission for capital funding to support the development and delivery of a children's respite centre in Co. Monaghan was approved at last week's National HSE Capital & Property Steering Group meeting.
The agency also said they are "in the process of viewing properties in County Monaghan with a view to procuring a house for a Children's Disability Residential Respite Centre." And, when asked if there would be enough money in the €15m budget to convert Annalee House and purchase or develop a property for children, the HSE said: "At this time it is not anticipated that funding will be an issue." And when Northern Sound asked when Monaghan parents can expect to have a respite centre fit for purpose, in a statement, the HSE said: " An opening date will be dependent on ... variables such as the purchase of a suitable premises/site, completion of building/renovation works, recruitment of the necessary staffing to deliver the service and registration of the centre by HIQA." The questions put to the HSE by Northern Sound and their response can be viewed in full below:
- Please can you give me an update from the HSE? Specifically, can you tell me what stage the HSE is at in “procuring a house”?
- The HSE Estates Team and the Disability Services Team are in the process of viewing properties in Co. Monaghan with a view to procuring a house for a Children’s Disability Residential Respite Centre.
- Will there be enough money out of the national €15m budget to convert Annalee House AND purchase/develop a property for children?
- With regards to the national €15m budget and enough monies available, this will depend on the purchase/development costs of a property (including ancillary works) in Co. Monaghan and conversion of Annalee House costs. At this time it is not anticipated that funding will be an issue. However HSE Estates and Disability Services are required to work within their allocated capital and revenue budgets.
- When can parents expect to have a respite centre fit for purpose in Monaghan?
- The submission for capital funding to support the development and delivery of a children’s respite centre in Co. Monaghan was approved at last week’s National HSE Capital & Property Steering Group meeting. HSE Estates North East will continue to work with Disability Services in the local service area to identify suitable premises/site in Co. Monaghan, and once purchased HSE Estates will then complete a significant capital project to extend and refurbish the property to deliver a five bedroom residential respite facility. The respite centre will need to meet the required standards for a respite centre, as will be assessed by the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA), in order to operate as a registered residential respite centre.
- Can the HSE deliver what Minister Rabbitte has promised?
At this time a date for the opening of a Children’s Disability Residential Respite Service in Co. Monaghan cannot be advised by Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo. An opening date will be dependent on time frames relating to variables such as the purchase of a suitable premises/site, completion of building/renovation works, recruitment of the necessary staffing to deliver the service, registration of the centre by HIQA.
