Long sought after respite centre due to be completed in Spring in Leitrim village

A respite care unit is set to be complete in Fenagh this Spring, members heard at a meeting this week. 

Cllr Roisin Kenny had asked Leitrim County Council for an update on the progress of both the respite care unit in Fenagh and the residential care unit in Carrick on Shannon for adults with disabilities and if it was possible to get an idea of when these units will be open and operational. 
She was advised that the council is not a member of the overview group for either of the HSE projects outlined and does not have the information requested but will request an update from the HSE on progress on both projects and will circulate to the elected members when received.

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Cllr Gary Prior supported the motion and said that he understood that the works in Fenagh will be completed in Spring next year. "It's great to see it. So many people have advocated for it. It's great to see works on the respite care unit in Carrick-on-Shannon too; a €1.2million project. I think there are foundations there at moment. It would be great to get an update from the HSE."

He added that he would also like to see a monument erected to celebrate the efforts of the parents who raised substantial funds for the centre: "There was a substantial volume of money raised by parents a number of years ago with €300,000 there for the fit out of that home. It would be nice to have some memory or token on that site for the people who raised that money; the families. You might come back to us on that? A new plague or bench."

He added: "However as we're aware, we need more units."

More respite care needed for children

Cllr Brendan Barry noted that respite is being provided for children with disabilities in St Ciaran's in Carrick-on-Shannon and added that it was "very disappointing that the building was only being used three weekends a month because the HSE doesn't have full-time staff. The fact there is a building there but there isn't funding to have it available more times during the months. 

He added: "The new Suaimhneas Respite Centre in Sligo will open in the new year but it's a long way for children from south Leitrim to be travelling to Sligo and it would be a lot better if we could have respite in Carrick-on-Shannon."

Cllr Prior asked: "Would it possible to find out how many properties, especially in the Ballinamore MD, are HSE-owned. Are there derelict buildings that could potentially be brought into use for the future?"