Families across South Leitrim are set to gain access to long awaited respite facilities following an announcement today.
The Gateway service in Boyle has confirmed they are in a position to deliver respite to families in Leitrim until a permanent building is provided in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Families requiring the service in the South Leitrim region have been forced to travel to North Leitrim or out of the county to access the vital support. It was announced today, that a nearby facility in North Roscommon will be made available to Leitrim families following upgrade works. The Gateway property at Curlew Gardens in Boyle will be a HIQA registered service and will cater for up to 3 Adults at any one time. 17 families have been identified as potential users of the interim service with Gateway Community Care confirming they will collaborate with the HSE to identify the users identified as most in need of the service. It's hoped that construction work can start on the property early this year, with a potential opening date in the third quarter of 2023.
Minister for Disabilities and Galway East TD, Anne Rabbitte has confirmed that funding has been secured to deliver the interim service for up to 3 years pending the development of the 5-bed respite facility in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Local politicians have branded the lack of facilities for families in the region as a growing emergency.
