Minister Simon Coveney welcomes Government commitment & investment for Enable Ireland Cork’s new state of the art Children’s Centre in Curraheen.
Just over a year ago, Minister Simon Coveney T.D. turned the sod at the seven-acre site at Curraheen, Co. Cork acquired by Enable Ireland for a new state-of-the-art Children’s Services Centre. The sod turning marked the beginning of a fundraising campaign to raise €7 million for the development of the centre.
Today Minister Coveney confirmed that the government will contribute €2 million to the development of the facility, which includes a hydrotherapy pool, playground, therapy and sensory rooms to accommodate the needs of the current and future children with disabilities.
“Enable Ireland Cork has been advancing the development of a new Children’s Centre successfully through acquisition of the site at Curraheen and extensive fundraising. I am delighted to confirm that the HSE has provided a Capital Allocation of €2 million for the new Children’s Centre in Cork in the Health Services 2017/2018 Capital Programme. This will undoubtedly accelarate plans for the centre, which will replace the existing, ageing facility in Ballintemple,” said the Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney T.D.
Enable Ireland Cork Chairman Donal Cashman added, “Enable Ireland has been working in Cork since 1954, and during that time, we have seen the need for our services increase enormously. We have a super team of highly skilled staff working with over 600 families and the new premises will enable us to continue to provide our vital services for our children, who really deserve the best. I would like to extend my thanks to the HSE for this investment and to all those who are supporting us through fundraising for this much-needed centre.”
Commenting on the news, Senator Jerry Buttimer said, “The new Children’s Centre will ensure that current and future generations of children with disabilities in Cork will get the services they need in the best possible facilities. This centre will be state of the art and amongst the best in Europe, future proofing services for families with disabilities”.
Enable Ireland, together with its partner agencies, provide core therapy and support services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and social work. The following specialist services will also be provided from the new centre: feeding, assistive technology, spasticity and tone management, seating, an upper limb assessment clinic, Cork/Kerry orthopaedic clinic, hip and spinal surveillance, casting and GAIT analysis. This new development will help to further enhance the delivery of those services. The location, close to the Curaheen flyover, provides easy access for families and staff.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
About Enable Ireland Cork Children’s Centre Appeal
- Enable Ireland currently provide support services to over 600 children at the Lavanagh Centre in Cork. Founded in 1954, the centre is no longer suitable for the needs of children with disabilities and the future children of Cork. We need your help to build a new Children’s Centre in Cork. We have purchased a 7 acre site in Curraheen and now need to raise €7milion to complete this state of the art centre.
- Find out more about the appeal onwww.enableireland.ie/corkappeal
About Enable Ireland
Founded in 1948, Enable Ireland provides services to over 5,200 children and adults with disabilities from 40 locations in 14 counties.