Cavan TD Brendan Smith has appealed to the HSE to respond "positively" to the business case put to them by the IWA for some additional resources in Cavan. The Irish Wheelchair Association said its day centre services in Co Cavan could be closed for a "number of months" due to staff shortages. The service closed its doors back in April and changed to an "outreach only model". Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Smith said it is "critical" for the HSE to facilitate the return of services which are "needed" in the Cavan centre. Deputy Smith has called for the centre in Cavan to reopen at "full capacity" in order to meet the needs of local service users. Deputy Smith stated; "I have raised previously the urgent need to have the in-person day services restored at the Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Cavan town. I appreciate the work to date of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, on this important issue. The cessation of services occurred because of staffing shortages. I know from speaking to service users, their families and staff in the IWA that the lack of in-person services is a very serious loss to those people who depend on such vital support week in, week out.
"To the credit of the local IWA staff, they have put in place outreach and online services pending a return to in-centre services. I appeal again as strongly as I can on behalf of service users and their families that the HSE should respond positively to the business case put to it by the IWA for some additional small-scale resources which are critical to facilitate a return to the level of services needed in the Cavan centre and have the centre re-open at full capacity to meet the needs of service users."
In her response, Minister Anne Rabbitte said; "I thank Deputy Smith for raising that question. It is not the first time he has raised it. I have spoken to Edel Quinn, who is organising a meeting in person so we can work with the IWA and the HSE on the business case to have an immediate resolution to the issue the Deputy has raised and to return in-person service in the day centre."
