TDs seek immediate reopening of Limerick respite centre

AN appeal was made in the Dáil for the immediate reopening of the respite centre in Co Limerick which was closed three weeks ago. Limerick TDs Jan O’Sullivan and Kieran O’Donnell said there should be an immediate announcement that the centre would reopen.

Following the decision to adjourn the Dáil for a 12 weeks’ recess Ms O’Sullivan, the Labour Party health spokeswoman said families in the midwest caring for adults with intellectual disabilities need the issue resolved before the recess. “I don’t believe we should leave this House today without ensuring that those people also get a break,” she said.

Mr O’Donnell (FG, Limerick East) said the 63 people who used the centre’s services run by the Brothers of Charity had been “put through three weeks of extreme hell and anxiety with the loss of this vital services” which he said cost just €150,000.

Both TDs paid tribute to Minister of State John Moloney who attended the Dáil late on Wednesday night and informed the House that the service in Galway would be retained at least until the end of the year. But the “Limerick service remains closed and we must have an announcement today that the service will reopen for those families”, Ms O’Sullivan said. Mr O’Donnell added that “we want a commitment from the Government today that this respite service will be reopened. Elderly people came to Dublin yesterday about this issue. I would like to hear what the Minister for Health has to say.” Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said she would ask the Minister of State to inform the deputies following his discussions.

The deputies made the appeal in the wake of the protests by thousands of carers and people with intellectual and physical disabilities who marched on the Dáil on Wednesday and in Galway and Mayo to protest against cuts.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen had told the House during a heated row on Wednesday that “it is not acceptable to me or the Government that respite services will be cut and as far as I am concerned that will not happen”.

Mr O’Donnellsaid: “this is about real people’s lives” and claimed the Taoiseach had been “talking about 130 people as if they did not exist”, when he referred to the budgeting of care services for 130 people being under discussion. Mr Cowen said that of 5,000 people receiving respite services 4,870 were unaffected.