Donegal County Council has indicated that it is planning to provide a new purpose-built group home in Buncrana.
The home will be part of the final phase of the Rockytown development. Last week, contracts were signed for the second phase of the scheme, which will provide another 54 social housing units on council-owned lands.
Councillor Jack Murray brought forward a motion to the council last week asking the local authority to prioritise the acquisition and construction of homes for those with disabilities.
Outlining the motion, Cllr Murray said it related to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities to reside in their own community.
The motion was agreed by the nine councillors in Inishowen following a meeting with a local mother who is concerned about her 21-year-old daughter.
Cllr Murray said the mother’s story can be reflected by many people across Donegal.
“The mother is reaching an age where she is facing her own physical health problems and she worries for her future ability to care for her daughter,” Cllr Murray said.
“This woman is worried that it might reach a point where her daughter might be housed elsewhere. She wants her to be within Buncrana in her community. We know some people have to go to other counties or be housed at a long distance away somewhere else in Donegal.”
“All councillors in Inishowen are advocating that we proactively seek to construct houses that suit people with intellectual disabilities,” said Cllr Murray.
He asked the council that this prioritisation would include the allocation of houses within planned housing developments, as well as seeking houses on the open market which would be suitable for such citizens.
“We have a duty and moral obligation to look after people in our communities that are most in need,” said Cllr Murray.
In response, Patsy Lafferty, Director of Service, said that the Council is very much committed to improving and expanding social housing provision for people with disabilities. He said the motion is consistent with discussions of the Donegal’s Housing Disability Steering Group, where the council works closely with the HSE and sectoral groups to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are met through the housing delivery programme.
Mr Lafferty told councillors that the proposed group home on a site at Rockytown Buncrana would be in collaboration with the HSE and an approved housing body. The actual building of a group home is usually carried out by an Approved Housing Body (AHB), who will subsequently own and run the facility.
