Shock over sudden closure of respite centre

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“Arlee House was closed on Friday, July 7 affecting up to 60 residents and their families,” said a former Arlee House staff member, who does not wish to be named.

“We were told there was not enough staff for adequate cover after some staff resigned. The remaining staff have been re-distributed to other services.

“One of our serviceusers has no family. People with disabilities are the most vulnerable in our community and families need a break.”

She added: “I think it’s so unfair. It all happened very quickly and we were given very little warning.”

Louth TD Ruairí O

Murchú said that he was aware of the clo- sure and the distress it had caused local families and that he had brought up the issue of inadequate staffing in local respite centres to Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State. Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth in recent weeks.

“We were contacted by worried families who were upset when Arlee Respite House suddenly closed and we have been in touch with Praxis, the HSE and Minister Anne Rabbitte. Praxis told us they had planned to close for the first two weeks of August as it had planned for maintenance but in reality there are wider issues across the board in relation to respite care and this needs to be addressed to prevent closures of respite care centres locally and nationally,” stated the Sinn Fein TD.

A statement from Praxis Care confirmed that they will be re- opening next month.

“In agreement with HSE, Praxis Care’s respite service in Dundalk has been closed temporarily in order to manage the acute staffing pressures in nearby residential services. Families, service users and HSE have been kept informed. The service will be reopening 14 August after two weeks of planned annual summer closure.”