Donegal Independent TD., Thomas Pringle, has said he is “disappointed” over plans by Health Service Executive (HSE) to keep Dungloe hydro-pool project on hold.
Despite the local committee receiving a political commitment to the provision of a pool in 2007, the HSE have informed Deputy Pringle that the project is not a priority for them under their capital requirement and had been put on hold as far back as 2006.
Deputy Pringle responded to the HSE’s statement claiming it was “very disappointing for the community who have been fundraising to contribute to the cost for so many years”.
He said: “It is very disappointing for the local committee that the political commitment has not been followed through and I believe the HSE should look seriously at the capital plan and make a case for funding for this project that would benefit many people suffering from a number of ailments and disabilities.
“Myself and Councillor Micheal Cholm MacGiollaEaspuig have met with the local committee and raised the issue with the HSE local management. The hydro-pool was estimated to cost €2.6m in 2006 and an extension that was built to the Angle Day Centre in Dungloe included a provision for a hydro-pool but no further action has been taken on it since.”
Cllr. MacGiollaEaspuig said: “There is a clear demand in the area for the therapy that a pool would provide with many people travelling to Carndonagh on a regular basis to use the pool there. A hydro-pool would assist many people living with chronic illness and disability to manage their conditions and improve their quality of life. It would also mean that they would not have to travel huge distances to avail of treatment.
“I brought a delegation from the Hydro-pool committee to meet with the Glenties MDC and outline the need for a hydro-pool to the committee and seek their support for the prioritisation of the hydro-pool with the HSE”.
“I believe that this is a worthwhile project that should be supported by the HSE and would go a long way to improving the quality of life for many people in West Donegal” concludes Pringle.
Thomas Pringle TD.
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