Fearon presses Poots on Crossmaglen Day Care Facility
Assembly Member Megan Fearon has written to Health Minister Edwin Poots to request information on the progress of the long awaited Crossmaglen Day Care facility for people with special needs.
Fearon stated that despite being in discussion for over ten years this project has still not been delivered.
This is in direct contrast to Newry Day Care Centre, which was approved by the Department of Health during the same period, but which has now been operational for five years.
Speaking to Newry Times, Fearon said, “This issue is causing anger and discontent among the people of South Armagh.
“My colleague and Councillor for Crossmaglen Terry Hearty has been lobbying on this issue for the past decade and it is frustrating in the extreme that just as progress appears to be made, yet another hurdle is placed in front of this project.
“I have requested a meeting with the Department, myself and my colleagues Conor Murphy MP and Councillor Hearty, in order to progress the issue and in the meantime I have asked Minister Poots for a written briefing detailing how he intends to take this issue forward and why progress on this essential service has been so slow.”
Councillor Hearty added, “This Day Care facility for those in our community with special needs is an essential service which the people of this area are currently being denied. These people are among the most vulnerable in our community and at the moment they have to be transported to and from Newry every day to access this service.
“This is not only traumatic for them but also for their families. I have met with the Health department and representatives of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust numerous times on this issue and I have to say the pace of progress on this is unbearably slow.
Hearty added, “I welcome the fact that Megan has requested this meeting and I hope that this project can be brought to fruition as quickly as possible.”
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