Funding fears emerge over Monaghan respite facility

Steadfast House provides personalised care and support to adults with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities from its headquarters in Carrickmacross.

However, fears have arisen over the centre’s capabilities to meet additional care objectives after the matter was raised by Cavan-Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Pauline Tully.

Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Ms Tully said she had learned of the difficulties facing the facility after being contacted by a parent of a service user in recent days.

“It has been brought to my attention by a parent that Steadfast House in Carrickmacross in County Monaghan, which provides respite on three weeks out of four, cannot provide it on the fourth week due to a lack of funding,” she said.

Ms Tully asked Taoiseach Simon Harris to commit further resources to the centre’s day to day operations in order to allow it meet those respite challenges.

“This is a centre that already provides respite to adults - it is adults only - and could provide additional respite for one week extra in every month if it was given the resources,” she added.

In response, Mr Harris referenced how Disabilities Minister Anne Rabbitte had travelled to the Farney county recently to meet with families of children who require respite services.

“I know she (Ms Rabbitte) is looking into respite provision in Cavan-Monaghan,” he said.

“I will certainly bring the Deputy's proposal around Carrickmacross and the ability to be able to do more in Steadfast House such as an extra week or month to the Minister of State's attention.”