Wallace gets Bus for Dunboyne Rehabcare

Dunboyne T.D. Mary Wallace today (13th December 2010) celebrated with staff and service users of the RehabCare Resource Centre in Dunboyne as their new 14-seater bus arrived for its first use.

Deputy Wallace stated “I was approached in August of this year by the RehabCare Resource Centre in Dunboyne who were faced with a transport crisis when both of the mini busses used by the Centre for clients had broken down. I contacted the Minister for Health Mary Harney and submitted an emergency application for funding due to the critical need to continue the transport service for the clients.”

“The Minister for Health agreed to provide €35,000 which is the cost of the new bus. There is an additional €20,000 which the HSE said that they would make available to RehabCare for the equipping and fitting out of the bus.”

Deputy Wallace continued “Today is a great day for the staff of Rehab Dunboyne and for the many clients and their families throughout Co. Meath who will continue to have access to the centre and the range of programmes that it provides. The new 14-seater bus has been specifically adapted to the needs of those attending the resource centre which will assist in strengthening and supporting the already excellent service being provided to the people within our community by the wonderful and dedicated staff in RehabCare Dunboyne.”

“I would like to thank the officials in the Department of Health and to the Minister for the speed with which they dealt with the application and for the cooperation they showed to me in resolving this transport crisis.” Deputy Wallace concluded.

RehabCare Dunboyne provides supports and services to over forty people with physical and sensory disabilities including many affected by neurological conditions including acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.

Cookery, yoga, computers, drama and physiotherapy are just some of the programmes available, all of which are designed to promote independence and enhance the daily living skills of those who attend the centre.

Dunboyne Cllr Noel Leonard who also attended this morning’s event in RehabCare expressed his delight with the speed with which the 14-seater bus was provided and he joined in his thanks to Deputy Wallace for her work and to all the staff at the centre who do such a wonderful job.

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