Politicans say they will fight to save Solas

UP to 28 families in Sligo use Solas. Local politicians have expressed shock at he closure.

Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas Healy had been asked to seek clarification on the service by a number of families. He says: “The withdrawal of respite care has come as an absolute shock to many families. Carers are often the unsung heroes of our communities, dedicating themselves to family members less fortunate and in the process saving the state millions.

“The provision of respite care allows families a little time to themselves to catch up on normal family activities. Consultation with the families from the HSE has been entirely inadequate, families asked me to find out what was going on with the service and I recently received confirmation from the HSE that the service has been closed.

“The promise of a future respite service by the private sector does not provide continuity of care and is not time referenced. Respite has been withdrawn and is promised to be provided in the future sometime, somewhere and by someone- our communities deserve better than this offhand treatment.”

“I will be campaigning strongly on this mat- ter,” concluded Cllr Healy, “my colleague Martin Kenny TD will be raising it in the Dáil.”

TDs Eamonn Scanlon FF and Tony McLoughlin FG have also raised the issue of Solas in the Dáil. They too have expressed shock and dismay over the closure of Solas respite facility and future plans for respite in the North West.

McLoughlin said: “I have raised this sensitive respite issue directly with Frank Morrison on a number of occasions over the last number of weeks on behalf of affected families, and I also raised it in the Dáil via a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health Simon Harris. I was disappointed to learn last week that the HSE have now announced that after a comprehensive review of respite care provision in Sligo and Leitrim, the HSE believes that it does not have the capacity to sustain the delivery of the respite service which is now required and that the HSE are now in the process of tendering for this service. To be honest, I was shocked to hear this news and I have requested additional information as a matter of urgency from the HSE with regard to the time period involved, where this care will be provided and what can families expect going forward.” McLoughlin vowed to continue fight to save the future of respite services in the area.