‘Dream’ for new education centre for adults with disabilities in Cavan and Monaghan moves step closer
Aiden Fitzpatrick, Angela Flanagan - Principal at St. Aidan's Comprehensive, Matt Carthy TD, Niamh Smyth TD, Paddy McAloon, Shelly Harte, Pauline Tully TD, Senator Robbie Gallagher and Austin Adams at last Friday's meeting in Monaghan's Four Seasons Hotel
Hopes for a new service for adults for disabilities to provide much needed educational opportunities for young adults living in Cavan and Monaghan has moved a step closer following “positive” talks with local stakeholder groups over the weekend.
Cavan/Monaghan TD Niamh Smyth said she remains hopeful a new, repurposed facility will become a reality for locally based families.
Ms Smyth was speaking after a large crowd attended a meeting in the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan on Friday night.
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The meeting was chaired by Paddy McAloon, a member of Special Needs Active Parents or SNAP, a Monaghan based campaign group of parents who have long been championing the cause for improved services.
Those discussions focused mainly on repurposing an existing an existing building at Drumbarky, Cootehill to provide a new Further Education Centre for young adults over 18 years of age.
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“I have made representations on behalf of the parents to Minister (for Disabilities, Anne) Rabbitte, Minister (for Health, Simon) Donnelly and the HSE Disability Services and I'm very hopeful the dream of a new service will become a reality for many parents,” she said.
Ms Smyth said she had been advised last week by Disability Services that the HSE have spoken with local stakeholders and the site has been brought to the attention of the HSE Lead for Disability Services ahead of closer inspection of the proposed site by a HSE Estates Manager.
“It is hoped that we will have a plan this week to guide the local HSE services in moving this project through the correct channels and seeing it come to fruition in a speedily fashion,” she said.
