The Taoiseach says the government will do "anything reasonable within its power" to secure the family support services and jobs at the Bessborough family centre in Cork which is facing closure within months. Mr Barry described it as a “test-case” for the state and he urged the government to act to secure the jobs and services. “Religious orders are selling up, not just in Bessborough but in other locations across the country - selling land, selling buildings - having a detrimental impact on state-funded services,” he said. READ MORE Number 10 declines to acknowledge midnight deadline over Brexit deal legal text“This is a litmus test for the government. “We will do anything reasonable within our power to make sure that the family services there, the jobs there, and those who use those services are protected.”He plans to seek a detailed report on the issue over the coming days.

Source: Irish Examiner October 15, 2019 14:48 UTC