Disabled children find new home

IT was a scene that would cheer anyone — children playing happily with their toys.

That’s what Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children Brian Lenihan saw when he opened a unit for children with special needs at Stewart’s Hospital in Dublin yesterday.

The children, who call the bungalow “home”, all have intellectual disabilities and mobility difficulties.

The unit, which cost over €500,000, was built to provide three child residential places and two respite places.

All the children will attend school as well as receiving a high level of clinical and nursing care.

The unit, which took 18 months to develop, is part of a broad range of support services provided by the hospital.

Mr Lenihan said the services provided by the unit would enhance the broad range of support services already provided.

The minster also said that by the end of the year funding of almost €312 million will have been provided.

However, he accepted that while much had been achieved in recent years there was still a need for ongoing investment.

The hospital’s executive director of corporate affairs Sean Priestley said the unit was designed to be spacious and comfortable for the children. Even the toys had been specially chosen.

He said the children all needed a high level of care.

Stewart’s Hospital provides life-long care for 600 patients from the age of four upwards. Their oldest resident, aged 101, died two years ago.

“Obviously different needs emerge at different ages so the facilities have to reflect those,” said Mr Priestley.

The hospital has about 300 day attendees who go home to their families. As time goes on, however, they will become more dependant on its services.

Services provided by the hospital include a restaurant, pottery shop and an extensive horticultural programme.

Mr Priestly said staff at the hospital always strive to emphasise the positive side of people with a disability.

“We see the whole person and the talents that they bring to us,” he said.