Summer sale raises funds for College library

The issue was raised at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority following discussion of a consultation document from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

“Greenisland House has at this moment in time zero residents; there are two individuals employed to provide security at the site,” said Alderman Jim Brown.

“Meanwhile, Joymount House in the town centre is not permitted to take on any new residents. My concern here would be that our residential homes are slowly being removed by stealth.”

“The Northern Trust has relinquished control over the closure of statutory care homes and it is now in the hands of the Health Minister.”

Responding, Mayor of Carrick Alderman Billy Ashe suggested a meeting be arranged between councillors and a health department representative.

“The proposed closures are something that are very close to my own family,” he said. “It would be useful if someone from the department could speak to us about what exactly is going to happen to our local care homes.”