REMARKS BY President Mary McAleese On her visit to St. Anne’s Services Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
REMARKS BY President Mary McAleese On her visit to St. Anne’s Services Roscrea, Co. Tipperary On Thursday, 3 December, 1998
Since coming to the office of President I have had the opportunity to visit many of the agencies providing services to people with intellectual disabilities. The voluntary agencies were largely responsible for their early development and today the voluntary sector continues to play a huge role in the provision of care.
Here in the Mid-West region, St. Anne’s have been providing quality care to people with intellectual disabilities since 1970. Over the years this service has grown and expanded, and today St. Anne’s employs almost 250 people, providing services to around 200 people throughout Tipperary, Laois and Offaly, including day and supported care, education, work and pre-vocational training.
I know that education and training is an important part of the work of St. Anne’s, not only for people with disabilities but those who provide services to them, and the service provides a Diploma course in special needs, as well as an involvement in the Masters Degree course in Rehabilitation Counselling, in association with the Tipperary Rural Business and Development Institute.
The availability of specialised training is an important aspect of ensuring that future generations receive the services they need. This type of forward planning, innovation and progressive thinking is typical, both of the voluntary services in general and St. Anne’s in particular. As I mentioned earlier, many of the most important developments in the provision of intellectual disability services in Ireland were undertaken by the voluntary sector.
For agencies such as St. Anne’s Service, which is run by the congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the provision of services is inspired by a distinctive Christian ethos, which recognises the unique dignity and potential of the individual. In the last two decades, this recognition of the rights of the individual has led to a profound change in the manner in which services are provided.
Where previously the only option available to people with intellectual disabilities was residential care, the emphasis now is on providing community-based services which enable people to live within their family circle and local community where possible. This positive development recognises that people with disabilities have the same fundamental entitlements as any other group in our society - including the right to participate fully in the social, economic, political and cultural activities of their communities.
Recognition of that right is vital if we are to build an inclusive society in which all of our citizens can contribute their experiences, talents and abilities. It is a two way process requiring a willingness on the part of people with disabilities to reach out into the community with, of course, the proper support and encouragement. It also demands that the community becomes more conscious of the needs associated with disability, and involves a commitment to undertake whatever changes are necessary to facilitate integration.
Agencies such as St. Anne’s play a very important role in this process. As well as providing services, the dedication, compassion and experience of staff here, means that you have first hand knowledge of the abilities, needs, and aspirations of people with intellectual disabilities. This enables you both to act as advocates for such people, and to empower them to speak for themselves.
The hard work and commitment shown by the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary has enriched many lives over the last 28 years. I am sure that in partnership with the statutory agencies, the many parents and friends groups, and most importantly, people with disabilities themselves, you will continue to do so as we head into the new millennium.