Shannon Child With Cerebral Palsy Cut Off From Crucial Supports In State Scheme

Clare FM

It's claimed the Government's early childhood care and education scheme is failing children with additional needs in Clare. Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has been requested to visit a creche in Shannon to observe the plight of one child who has been cut off from accessing essential equipment and daily supports. The ECCE scheme allows qualifying parents to avail of free pre-school service for children aged from 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and six months. But there's one slight catch; participating children must reach the age threshold before enrolment on September 1st. Alex in Shannon, who began her term aged 2 years and 5 months, is just outside the cut-off point. Alex is also living with cerebral palsy and requires a wide array of additional supports, as she cannot sit unattended and requires specialised seating to keep her head and upper body in place, along with a walker. As Alex cannot qualify for ECCE, she's also not eligible for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIMS), which would provide her with an Special Needs Assistant and the relevant equipment she needs. Owner of KidzHaven in Shannon, Siobhán Mulderrig has already taken significant steps to help, such as employing an SNA at her own expense, but she says there are still major concerns for Alex without the appropriate seating, including a risk of choking. Despite numerous presentations to the office of the Children's Minister, Siobhán says she has received no response so far. Clare's opposition TD claims to have received acknowledgements on the other hand, but no meaningful response from either Minister Roderic O'Gorman or Taoiseach Simon Harris. On a daily basis, Alex's parents are forced to bring in their own heavy and cumbersome walker for home, as none can be provided for them in KidzHaven at present, while she is also using a seat propped up by tea towels. Kilrush Independent TD Violet-Anne Wynne is urging the Minister to make the necessary amendments and believes he needs to visit the creche in person to observe the challenges facing Alex for himself.