Minister says Dungloe hub is the template that should set the standard

You would have to be present at the opening at the opening of the Community Inclusion Dungloe hub to experience how good the event was, the Minister Anne Rabbitte said as she stood to address those present for the official opening. 

The hub is part of Donegal Community Inclusion Training Services (DCITS) a HSE Day Service provider which delivers services for adults between the ages of 18 to 65 years with intellectual disabilities across the county. 

The Minister for Disabilities, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth officially received top-class entertainment on her arrival and thanked the students for their beautiful rendition of The Homes of Donegal.

Minister Rabbitte commended all those affiliated with the hub and said: “This is the template that should set the standard.”

Earlier a video showcased the students and what their favourite part of the hub was, among the subjects that are enjoyed are cooking, yoga, gardening and two of the firm favourites seemed to be music and media. Students run their own TV station, broadcast their own news and perform their own music. The students also have their own magazine and kept in touch on social media during the pandemic.   

The MC for the day was Liam Wheeldon who did a superb job. 

Again, Minister Rabbitte praised those at the hub on Cope Street Dungloe for their connectivity and assistive technologies.  Also present at the official opening was TD Thomas Pringle, former Leas Cheann Comhairle Pat the Cope Gallagher, Senator Niall Blayney and Fianna Fáil Councillor Noreen McGarvey. 

The minister said she recalled starting in the Dáil and having Pat the Cope Gallagher’s office situated a floor above her and she told those present that the former Dungloe-deputy helped and guided her as best he could in her early days. She also praised Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle whom she said was never afraid to ask the hard questions. 

The Galway-native said she was delighted to see that those at the hub enjoy equity and happy to see the hub being located in the middle of the Rosses town. 

The vice chairperson of the Regional Health Forum West, Ciaran Brogan spoke of how important it was to shape politics towards the needs of the people. He recognised and praised the work of the students and the staff at the Dungloe-based hub. 

“They’ll light up the street of Dungloe ever better than the Cope did and he did that on many an occasion,” he said. 

Head of Services, Edel Quinn, outlined how important it is for services to be made available locally and near home for the students. She said it was great to have the hub and hoped to see it as part of a growing empire. 

She praised those who had the vision and determination to establish the hub in Dungloe from the outset. 

Service manager, Ayla Friel, from Dungloe, said it was wonderful to be part of a team who worked consistently to develop the team in Dungloe. She thanked the service users and their families for making Dungloe the success it is today. 

CI Dungloe Hub Coordinator, Deborah Smith, said: “CI Dungloe Hub is located in the heart of Dungloe and our central location is accessible to all and gives a great feeling of inclusiveness. We have a real sense of connection with the community around us.

"Our proximity to the town has helped the service users integrate within the local community and build relationships with the fantastic local businesses, community groups and people around us. A special word of thanks to all the businesses and employers locally who have facilitated work experience and employment opportunities for the service users, and given them opportunities to learn and develop new skills and relationships in the workplace. We as a service are so proud to be part of the town of Dungloe, we could not have done it without the service users and of course their families, friends and supporters. I am very excited to see the progression into the future for our young service users in their local community.”

The hub works very closely with the HSE Day Service Coordination Team and the guidance officers within that team. People can self-refer to the services, or can seek referral from other health / social care professionals.

Paul Mc Fadden, from the CI Dungloe Hub outlined the benefit he gets from attending the service, he said: “My name is Paul Mc Fadden. I come from Gweedore. I am smart, funny, and kind to others. I would like to add that I am good looking too. I started in the CI Dungloe Hub in September 2020. I enjoy attending CI Dungloe Hub because I like the big open space, the staff, my friends and the routine. 

“One of my biggest achievements so far is my work experience placement in SuperValu – this was a big goal for me, my keyworker helped me with it. My job in SuperValu is stacking the shelves, and I like helping the customers to find what they are looking for and having the craic with them. In my last Person-Centred Plan one of my goals was to record my own song and music video – I released this on DCITS Facebook page and YouTube. From this I was invited to Highland Radio where I got the chance to perform my song live on air. I’d like to thank my keyworker Aine and Fionn and the staff who supported me with my song and video. I can’t wait to work on more goals and plans in the CI Dungloe Hub.”

During her visit to Donegal Minister Rabbitte also took time to meet with the staff of the Children’s Disability Network Team for north Donegal who are based in Letterkenny.

Following this she visited the No Barriers Foundation - a not for profit organisation based in Letterkenny. Its services include exoskeleton rehabilitation, neurological physiotherapy and exercise therapy.

Following the CI Dungloe Hub opening, Minister Rabbitte met with residents, HSE staff and members of the parents and friends housing association at three community group homes in Dungloe for adults with intellectual disabilities. At their homes, known as Teach Owey, Teach Inishfree and Teach Inishall - the residents kindly gave the Minister a tour and they discussed what it is like to live there, what activities they take part in and what supports they receive.