Two Offaly day care centres partially reopen this week

Deputy Barry Cowen has urged Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to intervene to secure the full reopening of day care centres for the elderly at Riada House, Tullamore, and in Clara.

Both centres had remained closed since the Covid pandemic restrictions.

On Thursday, the HSE has confirmed that both centres have bnow egun to reopen.

Clara Day Care re-opened on Wednesday to clients and Riada House Day Care on Thursday, it said.

The HSE said both centre will continue to be operational, initially at two days per week with client capacity growing by the week. Clara will operate on Mondays and Tuesdays and Riada House on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Cowen had previously urged the HSE to get the centres open.

“I continue to liaise and impress upon the HSE the absolute necessity for these facilities and services to be renewed," he sdaid.