Senator raises importance of Kare organisation in Kildare
Senator Fiona O'Loughlin raised the issue in the Seanad this week
A Fianna Fáil senator has raised the importance of organisation Kare in the local community, and has called for a debate on services for people with intellectual disabilities across Kildare and beyond.
Senator Fiona O'Loughlin was speaking in the Seanad on the issue on Tuesday, November 10 last, when she told the House a Kare service has opened in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
Senator O'Loughlin said: “A new service in Kildare, Kare, which provides services for people with intellectual disability across Kildare, west Wicklow and parts of Offaly, has opened in Newbridge. It is a new day service for 40 young people who are leaving special school. We are lucky to have two special schools in the area, namely, St. Mark's School and St. Anne's School.
“Unfortunately, when young people leave these schools, sometimes they do not have a place to go to in order to create friendships, continue learning, socialise or have some type of supported employment. This is now going to be a local base for young people from ages 18 to 25 minimum. That is really important.”
Senator O'Loughlin told the Seanad she was conscious of the fact that not every area has a service such as Kare, and that it was “important” to have a debate on the matter.
Kare, she added, provides options to young people with intellectual disability to develop skills and friendships and take an active part in their local community.
Speaking of a family member who avails of Kare's services, Senator O'Loughlin said: “I shared an Instagram post last week about my own brother, Cathal, who is a client of Kare. He celebrated 27 years of work within Kildare County Council and Newbridge library.
“The pride and joy any of us has would not match the pride and joy he has in his job. It is important that we have a big debate on that.”