Site chosen for children’s respite centre in Monaghan

A site has been chosen for a new interim children’s respite centre in Co Monaghan which is due to open by October.

At present, there is just one respite facility in Cavan serving both Cavan and Monaghan.

It is shared by both adults and children on a week-on, week-off basis.

Parents of children with disabilities in the region have long called for increased and improved services.

The interim facility will be located about 8km from Monaghan town at Urbalkirk.

It will be a five-bed residential house, including a self-contained studio apartment with a separate entrance, a wheelchair accessible ground floor bedroom and a relaxation/play room.

The service will also deliver full-time nursing support and is expected to be open before October.

The Talbot Group has been awarded the contract to deliver the service following a procurement process.

A contractor has been engaged to carry out renovation and development works at the chosen property.

A recruitment open day to staff the service has already been held.

The HSE says it will work closely with the service provider to have it ready to commence by 1 October.

In April of this year, Minister Anne Rabbitte announced more than €3 million funding for a new child-only respite centre in Monaghan and committed to an interim service in the area to be opened by October while that new facility is being built.