Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I thank her for taking time from her busy schedule to be here.I would like to discuss the Bóthar Oirialla group home in Carrickmacross. I hope that with the arrival of the Minister of State to the House, she will have some good news for us regarding the opening of the facility which will provide a home and cater for up to five people in the Carrickmacross area who have physical and sensory disabilities. The building has been lying idle for many years and families have been waiting for far too long for the facility to be opened.

I was delighted that with the change in Government some 18 months ago came a change in attitude and a sense of urgency that the project needed funding to get the facility open. I thank the Minister of State because I know she took her portfolio, grasped this issue by the scruff of the neck and secured funding. I am delighted things have moved on as far as they have. They would not have without the work of the Minister of State. It has been an issue for the people of Carrickmacross since the building was first initiated. Local councillor P.J. O'Hanlon has worked tirelessly to try to open the facility.

The last time the Minister of State and I spoke, we were given a projected date of the last quarter of 2021. She told me she had allocated some funding so that works could be done to the building. Due to the fact it had lain idle for so long, some small remedial works were required so that the building could be opened. I understand the works have been completed. Now all we await is the good news I hope the Minister of State will have for us. Families have been waiting a long time to get their local ones housed in the facility. I hope we will finally have an opening date.