Sinn Féin Kildare South candidate Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh has called on the Department of Justice to keep to its commitments and ensure that funding which they previously agreed be released to finish the construction of a national child development centre in Kildare.

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Disability and Carers, Pauline Tully, stated that it is shocking that construction of this centre has been brought to a halt when there are thousands of children on waiting lists for assessments and follow on therapy supports.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh said:

“It is appalling that the construction of a development centre in Kildare to deliver therapy supports to children with additional needs has suddenly been ground to a halt as a result of the Department of Justice refusing to release funding which they had previously promised for the project.

“Sensational Kids, a charitable organisation who are spearheading the project, were only recently informed of this decision which has forced construction to stop.

“This centre would be of enormous value to children with additional needs and their families, not only to Kildare but nationally.

“The promised funding should be released immediately so that this centre can be finished and start delivering badly needed therapy supports to children.”

Pauline Tully said:

“It’s unbelievable that with over 12,000 children currently overdue their assessment of need, the Department of Justice are withholding this funding.

“Children’s Disability Network Teams are not functioning and have a staff vacancy rate of 81. They are not in a position to deliver the assessments and therapy supports needed with this level of understaffing.

“This centre, when constructed, would have been extremely valuable in terms of assisting in the reduction of waiting lists for children deemed in need of therapy supports.

“It is essential that the Department of Justice reverse their decision and that the funding that they had already agreed be released to allow Sensational Kids finish this badly needed centre.”