In addition to the special needs homes at Millbrook and Brookvale which were officially opened by President Mary McAleese several weeks ago, there are other homes in the county that remain closed due to a lack of funding.

A home at Billis Cross, Glaslough has been left vacant for approximately four years now and locals are outraged at this waste of resources. The house and grounds have deteriorated into a poor condition and the weeded garden has become an eyesore for those living nearby. This money has effectively been wasted, as the houses remains unoccupied, year after year.

Regarding the homes at Millbrook and Brookvale, Brendan Casey, HSE Care Group Manager for the Cavan and Monaghan Disability Services, told the Monaghan Post “Our plan is that the house will be open in the first quarter of 2008.”

He continued: “We have been working with local authorities and the housing association and we are in the process of identifying priority clients who are currently awaiting group home accommodation.”

The house was purchased by the Parents and Friends of the Intellectual Disability Association with the help of €80,000 which they fundraised. The house was then furnished with the help of funding received from the Department of the Environment and the HSE.

President McAleese was very impressed with the Brookvale House. However, almost immediately after the President’s visit the house was locked up and has not been occupied ever since.