Delighted to say a group I have been working with for several years have been given €290,000 funding to enable the purchase of five properties in Newmarket. These will be used so that persons with intellectual disabilities can live independently. It was a long struggle, and I want to pay tribute to Christine Callinan from Action for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Clare County Council, Banner Housing Association, Brothers of Charity and of course my Government colleague Minister Jan O Sullivan who looked favorably on our representations. Statement sent out to media below:
“I have been working with this group in Newmarket-on-Fergus for some time. It’s wonderful news that this great project has received funding. What this means is that four adults with intellectual disabilities will now be able to continue to enjoy an independent and self-fulfilling life, through the close co-operation and assistance of the Brothers of Charity in the village of Newmarket-On-Fergus where they were born and raised.
This purchase of five units will enable tenants to live independently with the assistance of care workers. I met with Action for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities about two years ago. Initially we met Clare County Council who were very supportive of the project. Officials in Clare County Council advised the group to link in with Banner Housing Association who agreed to make the application for funding.
It is very welcome news and I want to pay tribute to Christine Callinan, Clare County Council, the Brothers of Charity and the Banner Housing Association. I want to also thank my Government colleague, Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Minister for Housing, who I worked closely with on this application.
Christine Callinan, Project Co-ordinator for Action for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, said:
“We have been working on this for about 7 or 8 years. It was challenging the first number of years to make progress. There are several adults with intellectual disability that are currently living at home with their parents and their parents are getting elderly. It means that gradually, the four men can move into apartments and live independently in the community with support from the Brothers of Charity.”
She added:
“Obviously it will give great piece of mind to their parents. It gives peace of mind to the parents and their family members to know there will be apartments and that the Brothers of Charity will be funded to provide support workers.
Deputy Joe Carey was very hard working and very supportive and helped to move the process along. He was instrumental in getting the application progressed and in liaising between ourselves, Clare County Council and the Department of Environment. He advocated and lobbied continuously on our behalf.”