Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today, I will speak again about the Phoenix Centre, which is located in what was the old Mount Carmel Hospital on the grounds of St. Joseph's Care Centre in Longford. The building was built in 1844. The rest of the buildings on the original site were demolished in the 1960s and a new purpose-built building, which is today called St. Joseph's Care Centre, was built. The building is being upgraded. The Phoenix Centre is located in the building and is the base for Disabled People of Longford, early intervention services and school-age teams. Basically all speech and language or occupational therapy and psychology services for people in Longford are based in this building and it is not for purpose.

I spoke on this matter in November 2021 when waiting lists for services numbered 600 children. Only recently, I met the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte, at the centre. Over 700 children are now on waiting lists for services while over 200 children are waiting for assessments of need. There is only half a speech and language post, which is unacceptable for the people in my home county, particularly parents and families.

Staffing needs to be put in place. I am very confident following my meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and HSE officials. A commitment was given that extra staff and resources would be put in place to deal with many of the issues.The reality is that it is on the second storey of a building that is 180 years old. It is not fit for purpose. There has been a lack of investment put into that building because of discussions to build a new purpose-built centre, or relocate to a new purpose-built Phoenix Centre, which is badly needed.

First of all, I want to put on the record that I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for coming, meeting with parents and finding out what the issues are on the ground with regard to services, etc. in the county. We also spoke on the lack of overnight respite for families and children in the county. There has not been respite in the county for nearly six years. I am very confident that we will make positive moves with regard to that and have something permanent put in place at some stage later on this year.

The people of Longford, the children and the families deserve a proper service for the children in our area. We need it to be located in a building that is fit for purpose. The reality is that this building is not fit for purpose. It is on the top of a hill and a person can hardly park their car when they go to it. It is not fit for purpose for anyone with any sort of a disability to access. I just want to get a commitment from the Department. There have been discussions going on for a long time on this. When will a building that is fit for purpose be put in place for Longford?