Sean Neeson MLA said: “While the Minister was not able to give his opinion on the closures due to the ongoing consultation process, he did however recognise the strong need for support for carers.
“I have worked very closely with carers groups, so I recognise the importance of respite care. We must not allow these homes to be closed by the Northern Trust, so I would urge people to write to the Minister and the Trust to show their opposition to these closures.
“The Department for Health’s is facing many cuts due to the mandatory 3% efficiency savings imposed on them by Peter Robinson. The DUP defended this budget despite misgivings from Alliance. We voted against it as we knew that it would mean closures such as the ones we are seeing in relation to some residential homes in East Antrim. We will continue to apply pressure to have these closure decisions reversed.”
ENDS