Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise with the Tánaiste the very sad news that we got this week about the closure of the Irish Wheelchair Association centre in Cavan. When I say “closure”, it has not closed its doors but has had to end its in-person service for the 40 service users who very much depend on that service. It had a minimum of staff to begin with. It had only two part-time and one full-time, and with that staff and the support of CE staff, it has been providing an incredible service to over 40 service users.

I have spoken with the staff and this is about pay parity, recruitment, and retention. I know it is a very difficult problem to address but the reality for the parents and those who have loved ones using the service is that they no longer have that in-person service. For example, families are now dependent on whatever resources are in place to perhaps go out and visit them in the community, like they did before. I ask the Tánaiste and the Minister with responsibility for disability to intervene to help get the service up and running again

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