The issues at the Cavan branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association has been brought to the attention of the Tánaiste today. Just this morning, the IWA announced it has had to move to an "outreach model" similar to that in operation during the pandemic. The day centre is now not accepting clients face-to-face but has shifted services to home visits, daily phone calls and online events.
The Cavan service says they are experiencing staff and resources issues as recruitment and retention is a problem for the section 39 sector who competes with health service salaries and conditions.
Cavan-Monaghan TD Niamh Smyth used question time in the Dáil today to, as she said, "plead" with the Tánaiste to intervene. Deputy Smyth continued; "The Tánaiste has assured me today that he will make enquiries himself as to what can be done to support the Irish Wheelchair Association that they can go back, I pleaded with him to ensure that we have that in-person service because it is a huge miss for a lot of parents in the area."
