I am delighted to be here today to turn the sod for the new housing project at Holy Angels, Glenmaroon.
Today marks another step forward in terms of care and support for people with an intellectual disability. The provision of bungalows on this historic Guinness estate will optimise the quality of life and independence for people who avail of the Daughters of Charity services at Holy Angels. This development is fully in line with the shift in emphasis from a culture of complete dependence to one of supported independence for people with disabilities in our society today.
I would like to pay tribute to the Daughters of Charity for their ongoing work in providing quality services and supports for people with an intellectual disability. For well over one hundred years you have enabled people with an intellectual disability to be treated with the dignity they deserve in a supportive and friendly environment.
Your philosophy ensures that the person always remains the centre of your focus. And, today, that philosophy is further highlighted with the commencement of this new project. I would also like to congratulate and thank RESPECT who have devoted huge time and energy to raising money for the Daughters of Charity Services. Only last month, I had the honour of attending a Gala evening in aid of RESPECT, hosted by Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh in Croke Park. I always enjoy attending your fundraising events as they provide me with an important opportunity to meet the people – parents, volunteers, corporate sponsors and many others – who work tirelessly on behalf of the Daughters of Charity. It must be very satisfying for you to see your efforts being translated into a reality today.
The value of this project lies in the fact that a home from home will be created for those who avail of the bungalows. In effect, you are ensuring that service users can achieve maximum independence, whilst still being supported in an environment, which is both familiar and comfortable to them. This type of support service is critical if we want to ensure the full integration of people with disabilities in our society.
Given the important role of bungalows such as these in terms of independent living for people with disabilities, I am delighted that funding of over €7million was provided by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for this project. Under voluntary housing schemes, such as the Capital Assistance Scheme administered by the Department, funding is provided for special needs housing for people with disabilities, the elderly and the homeless. In the five years from 2000 to 2004 funding in excess of €408 million has been provided under the Capital Assistance Scheme. This has enabled the provision of over 1,030 accommodation units specifically for people with disabilities.
Enhancing the level of support available to people with disabilities and their families continues to be one of the priorities of the Government. Both this Government and the previous one have ensured significant investment in services for people with disabilities. Between 1997 and 2004, additional funding amounting to €643 million has been invested in this area.
Furthermore, a special disability multi-annual funding package, with a total cumulative value of almost €900 million has been put in place by the Government for the period 2006 to 2009. This funding will focus, in particular, on providing more residential, respite and day places, more home support and personal assistance, and more respite places. This new approach shows the Government’s continuing commitment to funding disability support services.
It is my belief that the key to the provision of services for people with disabilities lies in a partnership approach. By ensuring that voluntary organisations, health care professionals, support workers and we in Government work together, we will meet the needs of people with disabilities into the future. This housing project provides the physical evidence of that partnership in action.
I wish you every success with this development.
Thank you.
ENDS