Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Hopkins for raising an issue that is causing us great distress. I am calling on the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to come to this House, although I know we are meeting him tomorrow to discuss this matter. Last Friday, the regional manager, Tony Cunningham, called a meeting at 4 p.m. and informed the staff of Cuisle, the national holiday and respite centre of the Irish Wheelchair Association that the facilities at Donamon, Roscommon, were closing on 29 November with the loss of at least 45 jobs and the removal of a service for wheelchair users, their families and supporters, that has been there for the past 22 years. The centre is on the grounds of the Donamon Castle which is in the ownership of the Divine Word Missionaries who have been there since 1939. The lease of which expires in 2026. I am calling on Ms Rosemary Keogh, the chief executive officer of the Irish Wheelchair Association, to answer my telephone calls and talk to me about the decision she has made.