Sod turning event for the new Regional Children’s Respite and Residential Centre, and an Equine Assisted Therapy Centre in Cork

HSE South West welcomes this week’s sod turning by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at two developments at St. Joseph's Foundation in Kanturk – a new Regional Children’s Respite and Residential Centre, and an Equine Assisted Therapy Centre.

The Taoiseach was joined at the sod turning ceremony by Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan, members of the Board of St. Joseph's Foundation, representatives from the HSE, community partners, families and invited guests to officially mark the commencement of these two landmark developments.

Both developments will be funded by the HSE, built on land donated by the Jarvey family, and run by St Joseph’s Foundation.

The Regional Children's Respite and Residential Centre will provide much-needed specialist respite and residential services in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment across two houses. One house will provide regional respite, supporting up to 60 children and young people each year. The other house will provide four placements for residential care, transitional care and emergency placements. Construction on both is expected to begin in Quarter 4 of this year. The Equine Assisted Therapy Centre will deliver innovative therapeutic programmes, creating opportunities for children and young people to enhance their physical, emotional and developmental wellbeing through structured equine-assisted interventions. Both developments represent a significant investment in the future of inclusive, person-centred care.

At the ceremony, tribute was paid to the Jarvey family for their vision and collaboration with the HSE and St Joseph’s Foundation.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:

“I am delighted to join St. Joseph's Foundation, many of those whom they support, along with their families and the local community, to mark the commencement of two significant developments in Kanturk, an Equine Assisted Therapy Centre and a Regional Children's Respite and Residential Centre. These developments will contribute immensely to the community of Kanturk, to Cork and the broader region, and, most importantly, to the lives of so many disabled people and their families.

I am determined that government will create a step change in disability services. Developments such as this, supported by the Government through the HSE, are an important contribution to this, enhancing badly needed supports for disabled people and their families.

I would also like to recognise the contribution of Kate Jarvey, whose generous land donation to the St. Joseph’s Foundation is making this project possible.”

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley T.D. said:

“I am pleased that my Department has funded the HSE to deliver this project for a new children's respite centre, a children's residential centre and an equine therapy centre in Kanturk. This is an important advance in providing more respite and residential services for young people with disabilities. The Government is committed to continuing to expand these services right around the country, in line with the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.”

Minister Emer Higgins, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Services said:

“I welcome the development of these new residential and respite centres, along with the innovative equine-assisted therapy centre, which will make a lasting difference to the lives of young people with disabilities and provide invaluable support to families across North Cork and the wider region.”

Michael Hegarty, Chief Executive of St. Joseph’s Foundation, said:

“This is an incredibly exciting and ambitious development for St. Joseph’s Foundation and, most importantly, for the children, young people and families we support. Building on the tremendous success of our existing equine services at Liskennett, these developments represent the next stage in our commitment to forward-thinking, innovative and responsive disability services.

The new facilities in Kanturk will allow us to provide more services to more children and families than ever before, not only in North Cork but across the wider Cork and Kerry region. Through the provision of regional respite, residential and transitional care, alongside a dedicated Equine Assisted Therapy Centre, we are planning for both the needs of families today and the services that will be required well into the future.”

Sonya Cotter, HSE manager for Cork North and West, said the additional residential and respite capacity for the region improve access to specialist services closer to home and help address longstanding capacity challenges.

“We are acutely aware of the importance of respite to people with disabilities and their families, and also of the importance of access to residential care when it is needed. This development, over time, will improve access to both residential care and respite in North Cork and the wider region, and will be a very welcome addition to services. As well as providing respite, this centre will introduce a new model of transitional residential care. We are glad to facilitate this significant investment and we look forward to working with St Joseph’s Foundation in providing these important services.

“This partnership highlighted what can be achieved when government, healthcare providers, community organisations and families work together to respond to the needs of children and their families.”