“Rehab has an excellent record, over many years, of supporting adult day services in the Carlow area. The HSE values its partnership with the Rehab Group, ensuring the widest range of choices and options for its service users,” according to Aoife Fitzgerald, Day Opportunities Service Manager, HSE Dublin and South East, speaking in recent weeks as the HSE supported the relocation of Rehab Group Day Services to a new facility at the Waterfront Centre in Carlow, with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD performing the official opening.
Aoife added:
“The move to this new location not only ensures continuity of the service in a safe, modern and sustainable base, but is also a great point from which the service can grow. It also helps position Rehab locally to meet the increased demand among those with disabilities for day service places.”
The Centre promotes inclusion, independence and the pursuit of meaningful, fulfilled lives for individuals with disabilities in the Carlow area. Service users are supported to build confidence, develop social roles and pursue training and employment opportunities.
In its new central location, the Centre will support more participation in community life and independent living skills. The service currently supports 33 service users and has expanded capacity to accommodate new school leavers and those exiting rehabilitative training programmes.
Those addressing the gathering at the official opening included Gráinne Fogarty, Director of Care, Rehab Carlow Resource Centre, Finbarr Reaney, CEO, Rehab Group, Bridget, a service user at the centre, and the Minister Foley. Guests present included the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor.
This development is in line with the HSE Corporate Plan where, under the priority of Right Care, it aims to increase the amount of care delivered in the community - to support more children and adults with a disability to access local supports and services.
Through Section 39 of the Health Act, the HSE contributes €7,160,628 annually towards 14 Rehab Group delivered projects across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary. The new Carlow Resource Centre replaces accommodation previously provided at a premises on Killeshin Rd. in the town. The HSE contributed €357,546 to the overall costs of €783,546 for the facility in The Waterfront Centre.