MINISTER RABBITTE ATTEMPTS TO EXPEDITE OPENING OF CARRICK GROUP HOME BY ANNOUNCING MARCH VISIT

By Veronica Corr

Minister of State Anne Rabbitte gave a commitment to Senator Robbie Gallagher on Tuesday afternoon that she would visit the Bóthar Oirialla Group Home in Carrickmacross on March 28th, which Senator Gallagher felt might coincide nicely with an official opening! Deputy Anne Rabbitte told her Fianna Fáil colleague: “We are just between friends here and I do not mind sharing that in order for me to expedite this, I named the date I was coming to Carrickmacross, which was 28 March.” Junior Minister Rabbitte continued: “There is a little bit of pressure on everybody, whether it is HIQA, the HSE or the Department, to ensure the building is opening and fully functioning for those five residents. I am coming that day to ensure it happens.

“It is money I wanted spent in 2021 but i t dragged into 2022. I am nonetheless delighted the providers — the HSE and Resilience — have worked really hard for me to ensure we can have delivery. I look forward to coming down on 28 March to see our new facility opened.” Senator Gallagher was thrilled with the development as he had invited the Minister to the Upper House of the Oireachtas in the hope that she would have some good news. He acknowledged that the Bóthar Oirialla Group Home had lain idle for many years , adding that the families of future residents had been waiting too long . The Group Home will cater for five people with physical and sensory…