Efforts are continuing to secure a new operator for the former Cuisle holiday and Respite Centre in Roscommon.
It’s a year since the Irish Wheelchair Association ceased operations in Donamon with the loss of 40 jobs.
On November 29th 2019, Cuisle staff saw off their last guests leaving and many who had seen it as their home from home devastated.
It was just four weeks since the Irish Wheelchair Association had made the announcement basing its decision on the fact that over 1 million euro would be required to carry out electrical and other essential upgrades to the building.
It had also stated that a new model of holiday breaks in hotels would be preferable for its service users going forward.
Efforts were then undertaken to see if a new operator could lease the building and Shannonside FM news understands that advanced discussions have taken place between the Divine Word Missionaries who own the building and international education institutions who have shown interest in taking it over.
While a deal may be on the cards, it’s understood that the finance to carry out the necessary infrastructure upgrades may need to be secured before it’s finalised.
A spokesperson for the Fathers has stated that the worldwide pandemic, international restrictions and general financial pressures on all companies and organisations has hampered progress.
However, there are hopes that with a change in circumstances in 2021, negotiations with these institutions and all other avenues can resume and progress
