Avista Marks Official Start of Avista Children’s Respite House with Sod-Turning Ceremony in Garraunykee

Avista Children’s Respite House – The crucial fundraising team that have made this €2.7 million project happen L-R Kieran Dore (Parent of Harry who attends service), Dara Smyth Lisnagry Association, Dr. Gerry Boland J.P. McManus Foundation, Jesse Kennedy Avista Foundation, Lorraine Macken Avista CEO, Derek Barrett Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, Noel Kidney Avista Foundation.

Avista officially marked the commencement of construction on a purpose-built respite house for children with complex needs in the Midwest Region

Avista in collaboration with Avista Foundation, The Lisnagry Association, The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, the J.P. McManus Pro-Am 2022 and Masterlink Ireland officially marked the commencement of construction on a purpose-built respite house for children with complex needs in the Midwest Region today.

The sod-turning ceremony held on-site on the outskirts of Annacotty in Garraunykee, is a major milestone in the delivery of this €2.7 million house that is specifically designed for children with intellectual disabilities and complex needs.

At present, the current average waiting period for a child to avail of overnight respite in the Midwest region is 40 months. This respite house will provide a bright spacious state of the art environment for children availing of a respite break and ensures safety, comfort and care.

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The HSE currently funds the operation of three respite centres for children with disabilities in Limerick, with a total provision of 16 respite beds. This includes the San Joseph respite centre currently operated by Avista.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Children. Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said, “I am delighted to be here today as we turn the sod on this new children’s respite house in Limerick.  This development is a strong example of what can be achieved through effective partnership. High‑quality respite services are essential for children with disabilities and their families. This new respite house represents an important step in expanding capacity and ensuring families can access safe, supportive and well‑designed respite services close to home.”

Avista CEO, Lorraine Macken said, “The start of construction at this site represents a crucial step forward for Avista’s respite services in Limerick. This new house will more than double capacity, supporting more than 50 children and their families.

We are very grateful to our funders the Avista Foundation, The Lisnagry Association, The J.P. McManus Pro-Am 2022, The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, Masterlink Ireland and the Benefacts Trust for their continuous commitment and support to this project. I’d also like to acknowledge and extend our appreciation to the Daughters of Charity, who generously donated this site to support the continuation and expansion of children’s respite services in Limerick. We simply could not be here today without it.

The persistence, collaboration and commitment from everyone involved to date, to support children and young people with disabilities and complex needs in Limerick is incredibly powerful and I know the team looks forward to opening our doors to children and families very soon.”

Brian Cox, Lisnagry Association added, “The Lisnagry Association is very proud to support the development of the new Avista Children’s Respite House in Lisnagry. For many years, the Association has supported projects that improve the lives of people attending Avista’s services in Lisnagry, and we understand how much difference the right environment can make.

The new respite house will offer children with complex needs a modern, purpose-built, welcoming place where they can feel safe, supported and at home. It will also provide families across Limerick and the wider Midwest with the reassurance and relief that comes from knowing their child is being cared for in a setting designed around their needs.

It is an essential support for children, families and communities, and we know this new house will make a lasting difference for many years to come.”

Avista

Avista is a person-centred, rights-based organisation that is dedicated to improving the lives of over 3,000 children and adults with disabilities. Avista provides services in Limerick, North Tipperary/Offaly and Dublin. Avista’s mission is to work together with the people they support to live their best lives, through the delivery of quality services while promoting their roles as active citizens in an inclusive society.

The Avista Foundation (previously Respect) develops and funds projects to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities supported by Avista. The Foundation do this by improving the environments and resources available to supported individuals (primarily through capital building projects).

The Lisnagry Association is a parents and friends support group formed by parents, siblings, friends and advocates of people attending Avista’s services in Limerick.