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Deputy Pringle says further delays to Seaview Respite House unacceptable
- Updated: 15th October 2019
Thomas Pringle TD – 15/101/19
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Independent TD for Donegal Thomas Pringle received confirmation from the HSE this week that further delays are expected in the handing over of Seaview Respite House to Rehabcare – the new provider of respite services to families caring for those with disabilities.
Speaking on the issue Deputy Pringle says “Seaview Respite House was due to open again by the end of July but has instead been met with delay after unacceptable delay. The HSE has confirmed to me that Seaview will not reopen until November this year. I am not convinced that this deadline will be met either.
“No reason was given for the delay expect an update to say the HSE is currently undertaking final stages of fire compliance works at the House. Meanwhile the service has been curtailed leaving many families and their children without much-needed respite over the summer, a time when families look towards spending quality time together.
“The HSE did say they tried to provide other arrangements, but according to families this has not transpired.
“The HSE’s handling of Seaview Respite House has been marred with problems for years. I have been raising capacity issues with the Home for a number of years now including staffing delays in 2017, the lack of weekend respite services and the issue of third- party takeover this year.
“My concerns regarding the handing over of services to a third party are unfortunately well founded now that service users have been without a service for months and full capacity to a 7-day week respite services is still not on the cards despite Minister McGrath claiming it was.
“I believe the HSE is trying to use the transition to Rehabcare so as not to deal with funding requirements as they try to address the overspend in the health sector as well as Brexit taking up all available funding for respite and Carers out of Budget 2020.
“It’s also confirmation of Fine Gael’s priorities as reflected in Budget 2020 which left nothing substantial to carers and families dealing with children with disabilities and absolutely nothing has been provided for, for people with disabilities themselves.
“I believe the Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath has a lot to answer for and must ensure that the Seaview facility does open next month and that the Government will do whatever they can to facilitate a 7-day/week service in the Home” concludes Pringle.
ENDS
