Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I believe the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has a prior engagement so the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is very welcome in her stead. I tabled this Commencement matter to get some clarity on the record regarding what is happening with Sruthán House. The Minister of State and I know so many families affected by closures of adult day services and adult respite services over the course of the pandemic. As we all know, it was a really difficult time for so many people. I wanted to ensure accurate information was made available and to find out why respite services at Sruthán House were and remain closed. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and her officials have done great work over the past number of months. Like all respite services, Sruthán House was a lifeline for so many people. I have been in contact with families with regard to Sruthán House going back to my days as a member of Louth County Council and have worked with Department officials since I entered this House in order to make sure we have adult respite services in Dundalk and north Louth.

When the pandemic hit, like all respite services, the service at Sruthán House was closed. It did not reopen because the building was not suitable due to social distancing requirements. We have really positive news this week. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's response and hope she can give the House details of the new adult respite service in Dundalk, the facilities, the timelines for connecting with individuals who wish to use the services, when they will get to see the building and, more importantly, when will they get to use it.