A Government Minister of State has pledged to meet with representatives of the largest Clare charity providing therapy for children with special needs to discuss funding options.
Clare Crusaders Clinic Manager, Ann Norton has confirmed Minister of State for Equality and Disability Anne Rabbitte has agreed to meet her with Senator Timmy Dooley to discuss possible funding streams for the clinic.
Ms Norton also plans to highlight the difficulties parents are experiencing trying to get children with special needs a place in special schools and secondary schools during her meeting with Minister Rabbitte.
She said an analysis needs to be undertaken why there are so many deficits in public services and why they are not getting better. “Some parents feel they are letting down their children but the system is letting them down,” she said.
The former independent councillor pointed out children with additional needs are facing a wait of up to two years for therapy.
In spite of the increase in the demand for therapy, she said there doesn’t seem to be any increase in public services.
Clare Crusaders is a self-financing service located in Barefield, Ennis. The Clinic receives no annual state funding and must raise more than €250,000 per annum to provide the current level of therapy for children.
Expressing concern about the increased cost of living, Ms Norton pointed out staff, insurance, rent, electricity and other costs have increased.
Final preparations are being made for the annual Clare Crusaders Tractor Run, which takes place in Barefield next Sunday. Describing the Tractor Run as a “brilliant community event”, she said it is great to give the farming community a social outing.
Registration opens at 12 noon in Barefield before the run starts at 2pm. The children’s tractor run, which starts at 1.50 pm, from the clinic down to the church and back up again is always well supported.
Raffle tickets are also being sold for spot prizes. Children can enjoy a bouncy castle while a barbecue is provided after the run for the particpants.
“It is a family event for farmers young and old to come out and participate in this social event and showcase their high powered tractors. It attracts a different dynamic of people and the younger generation. It has grown in popularity over the last ten years.
“There is always a great turnout of tractors and other vehicles, which is great to see. The atmosphere on the day is always so positive for this community fundraiser. Farmers and contractors from all over the county come to support the tractor run, which is amazing. It is one of those events that people really look forward to and we get so much fun and enjoyment out of it. We are really looking forward to it.”
Ms Norton said that the clinic is situated in Barefield village where there are a lot of farmers in its rural hinterland and the two local pubs are also used to support this event.
Barefield farmer Pat Roseingrave visits farmers in the months leading up to the tractor run to inform them it is taking place.
The Clinic was opened in 2007 thanks to the dedication and hard work of a group of parents to overcome the lack of publicly available treatment for children with autism and cerebral palsy.
The clinic started with one therapist and now it employs nine staff members delivering approximately 200 hours of therapy per week, catering for more than 40% of children in County Clare with special needs.
It is managed on a voluntary basis and does not charge for access to the therapists to ensure that anyone can access its supports.
Donations can be made through the clinic website or by making a cheque payable to the Clare Clare Crusaders Clinic, Barefield, Ennis, Clare. Any financial support would be greatly appreciated.
East Clare correspondent, Dan Danaher is a journalism graduate of Rathmines and UL. He has won numerous awards for special investigations on health, justice, environment, and reports on news, agriculture, disability, mental health and community.