Áras Attracta faced with second bungalow closure

Áras Attracta faced with second bungalow closure


Rowan Gallagher

A HOUSING facility for patients with intellectual disabilities is going to be closed with or without the consent of the staff in Áras Attracta, Swinford.
At a meeting on Wednesday June 9 with labour relations representatives, Noel Giblin of the Psychiatric Nurses Association was told that the facility would lose one of its bungalows which houses ten patients with mild intellectual disabilities.
“It is unprecedented and will have very serious consequences for clients,” said Mr Giblin
Staff were told that they will not have any say in the closure that would see the ten patients of the bungalow being housed in other parts of the facility leading to over-crowding and a reduction in their quality of life according to Mr Giblin.
The move which has been condemned by politicians from all major parties is part of the cost containment proposal by the HSE in an effort to cut overtime in the facility.
The HSE state that no jobs will be lost as a result of the closure and that the move is possible due to the reduction of clients in the facility by five in the last year.
Swinford Councillor Joe Mellet has condemned the move and is demanding a statement from Michael Tobin, General Manager of HSE West.
Inclusion Ireland has set up a Facebook page and group entitled ‘save our homes- Áras Attracta’ which has over 1,000 supporters to date with many family members of clients from the facility voicing their anger at the closure.
A further meeting is being held this Wednesday, June 16 with union representatives and management.
The bungalow is the second of its kind to be closed in Áras Attracta in the last 14 months.
Áras Attracta service provides for 117 residential clients and 18 day care clients. There are 119 nurses, 43 care staff, 7 maintenance staff and 11 administration/management staff working in Áras Attracta.
TD Michael Ring has seriously condemned the move saying it is hitting out at the most vulnerable in society.
“The closure of the bungalow is both unfair on the residents of the bungalows and on the staff working in Áras Attracta. In the best interests of the residents, this bungalow should be retained to accommodate them.
“It is totally wrong these residents should be used as pawns in a cost-cutting exercise by the HSE,” said Deputy Michael Ring.