THE late Joe and Helen O’Toole are the Chuck Feeney’s of this region, according to An Tánaiste Micheál Martin, as he officially opened the new €25 million Community Nursing Unit in Tuam – named after the Tuam business couple.
The public got the first chance to view the modern two-storey facility that stands between the Primary Care Centre and Ambulance Base this week.
From its impressive rooftop garden, residents and visitors will be able to look out over part of the town, even peak into Tuam Stadium — rain or shine.
The O’Toole’s, who owned the SuperValu supermarket and O’Toole’s drapery store in the town, donated €7 million towards the construction of the 50-bedroom CNU, which includes a dedicated dementia wing with its own spacious, secure and peaceful garden.
The size of their contribution is enormous for one family and it is fantastic to see facilities of this quality and that there is a need for more such services as the country’s population gets older.
I note the open invitation for visitors to come to the facility and this is important to ensure that we do not disconnect residents from their communities.
Minister Rabbitte said.
The generosity and altruism of Joe and Helen O’Toole can not be understated and will benefit future generations. Doing work that matters. Choosing to participate in initiatives that will positively impact and help make a difference IS community.
and she continued:
It only seems like yesterday when I was here with my colleague, Mary Butler, Minister with special responsibility for Mental Health and Older People turning the sod in Tuam.
It gave me great pleasure to watch the project reach key milestones to today. No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra.
And that is what this project had in spades, a collaborative mindset, a clear purpose and shared aspirations.
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