Minister Foley announces funding for new disability service hub in Kerry

Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Kerry TD Norma Foley has announced funding for a new disability service hub in Kerry. Earlier this year, Minister Foley requested the HSE to set up a targeted 'call to action' initiative to give disability service providers the opportunity to nominate capital projects that could be delivered in a short timeframe. Inspired, which provides services for people with disabilities in Kerry, will receive funding to deliver a new disability service hub under this initiative. 'I am very pleased that Inspired has successfully qualified for funding under this 'call to action' from the HSE. This will deliver new day service places for people with disabilities, a training programme for people with disabilities and a new alternative respite programme. I look forward to further developments of disability services in Kerry and right around the country,' Minister Foley said: Inspired currently delivers day services for 25 people with disabilities on the ground floor of its existing building at Brandon Court in Tralee. It will now receive funding to fit-out the first floor of the building to increase overall capacity to 40 people with disabilities. This represents a net increase of 15 day service places for people with disabilities. There will also be a new training programme for eight new applicants at any one time which will support individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities to gain the skills, confidence, and work experience necessary to access employment and more independent living outcomes. Inspired will also provide an alternative respite service in the new disability services hub which can be accessed by up to 30 participants through evening, weekend, and community engagement programmes. This will include people with disabilities who are taking part in the day service programme, the training programme and external participants accessing community-based supports Inspired has also secured planning permission from Kerry County Council to convert the first floor of the building into a new disability service hub. The overall revised development relates to the conversion of the space into training areas and offices across approximately 438m² of revised floor area within the existing building. Works will include internal construction, accessibility upgrades, training and support spaces, welfare facilities, fire safety works, and full mechanical and electrical fit-out to create a state-of-the-art fully operational disability service hub.