€4.6 million in funding will have a positive impact on those seeking disability services and the quality of care received, a Dublin Mid-West TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins has welcomed the announcement by Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, that 35 additional projects have been approved combined funding of €4.6 million as part of the Strengthening Disability Services Fund, including €33,333 for Stewarts Care.
Deputy Higgins said, “This latest announcement will provide some of the vital funding we need to crucially reform disability services in Ireland and build on the capacity of disability groups to improve the quality of services that they can provide. “Some of the funding allocations will have country wide benefits for organisations such as the Irish Wheelchair Association, Family Carers and the Rehab Group while others will specifically benefit CHO 7 which Dublin Mid-West is in.
“For example, Stewarts Care, which is based in Palmerstown and does excellent work providing community based and residential care, has received €33,333 for the purpose of essential staff training to further improve their offering to those living with a disability. “The announcement has also included €135,000 for Gheel Autism Services, €24,000 for Autism Initiatives, €22,000 for WALK intellectual disability association and €31,000 for the Anne Sullivan Centre,” said Deputy Higgins. “All of these organisations operate within CH07 and will benefit the local community. “There’s no doubt that those who have a disability have been disproportionately affected by the Covid crisis, and this funding will be welcomed for improving essential services and supporting service providers to address the needs within their organisation,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
