The long wait for a new Clearly Centre in Donegal Town is another step closer today (Mon) as it was confirmed that the project has been given the green light.
Donegal TD, Pat the Cope Gallagher, said he had received confirmation from the Office of the Minister for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, that the Donegal Town centre would be included in Budget 2020.
He said: “In 2018, the Cleary Centre met with the Minister on a delegation to the Dail when they received a commitment that the centre would be included in the building programme of the Department and the HSE.
“However, they were not included in the 2019 capital budget for the construction of a new building for the centre.
“In the intervening two years, I have carried out extensive lobbying on their behalf to ensure the delivery of this project.
“Today, we have seen the culmination of all that hard work with the confirmation of funding for the project,” added Pat the Cope.
“I will be calling on the HSE to waste no time in getting a design team appointed for the new Cleary Centre and to work closely with the Cleary committee to ensure that the designs meet their needs.
“It is essential that this project move forward without any further delays,” added Pat the Cope.
Pat the Cope continued: “The Cleary Centre carries out trojan work on behalf of the disability sector, providing supports for those with intellectual disabilities.
“In 2014, the centre was deemed to be no longer fit for purpose and a new purpose-built Centre would be required to ensure the long-term future of the centre.
“Initially the Centre was refused inclusion in the building programme of the Department of Health and the capital plan of the HSE, but following pressure applied on the Minister and the Department it was subsequently agreed that the Cleary Centre be included on the programme, but no funding was approved at the time in 2018 or in the 2019 capital plans.
“Today’s announcement is the confirmation we were all waiting for and with the confirmation of capital funding, this much-needed project can now move to the construction stage.
“I will maintain pressure on the HSE and Department in order that this project moves swiftly to the next stages so that no further delay occurs in delivering this much-needed project,” concluded Pat the Cope.