Parents of those with learning disabilities and autism in the North West have been dealt a demoralising blow with news that a respite centre in Sligo is to remain closed.
The Solas Respite Centre in Ballytivnan opened in 2009 at a cost of €1.2m.
It has been closed for the past number of months, with no indication when or if it will be reopened and available to parents.
The HSE is now to tender for the respite service to be outsourced.
About 30 families use the centre in Ballytivnan.
Sinn Fein Councillor Thomas Healy has been telling Ocean FM what he understands is now planned.
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John Doyle, from Grange, in North Sligo, is one of the parents affected.
He says respite is essential for parents to enable them keep going.
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