REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW EXTENSION OF CLONAKILTY DAY CARE
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW EXTENSION OF CLONAKILTY DAY CARE CENTRE SATURDAY 27TH MAY 2000
Is mór an pléisiúir dom bheith anseo i bhur measc inniu. Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht bhur bhfáilte chaoin.
I am delighted to join you here today to officially open the extension to the Clonakilty Day Care Centre. Thank you for the wonderful welcome you have given me. In the past two years I have had the privilege of welcoming older people from all over the country to Áras an Uachtárain on many occasions. These occasions are not just enjoyable in themselves, but they are also ones which remind me of the incredible resource older people can be. I know that it’s a bit like preaching to the converted here today, but I believe it’s important to realise what a great reservoir of experience and knowledge our parents and grandparents possess. We must find fresh new ways for the young to listen to those older than themselves, to learn from them and learn about them, to understand that older people can be crucial teachers to the young, long after retirement, long after the children and grandchildren are grown.
After all, the current economic and cultural success that Ireland is so fortunate to enjoy has been built on the sacrifices and hard work of past generations. It is important that we acknowledge that and express our thanks to you, and to all older people, for all you have given us.
This Day Care Centre is a wonderful way of repaying our debt to the older members of the community – the Centre provides important services to older people which will allow them to remain happy and healthy in their own homes, among their family and friends in the community, while receiving help and support when they and their carers need it.
No one of us is an island, we all need contact with other people. Older people, particularly in rural areas like this, need to know that they are not alone, that they are not isolated. This Day Care Centre provides a focal point for social interaction, it enables older people to meet with their friends and peers, to make new friends, to swap stories and news – maybe even the odd bit of gossip - and gain the energy and confidence to find new ways of enjoying life. While the Centre provides a wide and impressive range of health services, I think it is also important to recognise the practical facilities provided by the Centre, such as, meals, laundry facilities, hairdressing – it sounds to me as if it’s a bit like a home from home!
I know that the limited amount of space available has been a problem for you. I am delighted that this problem will be resolved by this extension and the upgrading that has been undertaken. This extension will provide greater comfort in the dining and sitting room and better privacy when using the services of the Centre.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution made by the Southern Health Board to this Day Care Centre, particularly for their part in providing significant funding for the extension. I also would like to acknowledge the strong ties between hospital staff and the Day Care Centre and to thank them for their care and devotion to the older members of the community. I am proud to be able to pay special tribute to the local community, to the people of Clonakilty, and especially to the Friends of the Day Care Centre for the time and the commitment they have given over the years to the development of the centre.
The great advantage of your involvement in the development of this Centre is that the needs of the elderly can be addressed as the entire community itself sees them - not as seen from a distance by those who do not have the benefit of local knowledge and familiarity with the community. The Friends Group give of themselves - their enthusiasm, energy and understanding of the needs of older people in the area. Their fund raising efforts are aimed at improving services and facilities. I’m told that the Friends Group provided funding for the canopy at the entrance. With our soft climate I am sure you will agree this particular bright idea will be a good investment for years to come. Their development of the garden at the front of the centre will also bring much joy and pleasure to everyone who uses the facilities here.
The Friends of Clonakilty Day Care Centre are an excellent example of community involvement in services for older people. Clonakilty lives up to the Irish saying "Ní neart le cur le cheile – our strength is in our unity".
I would like to thank Marie Walsh for the invitation for me to join you here today. I hope the Clonakilty Day Care Centre grows from strength to strength and that many of the senior citizens of Clonakilty, Timoleague, Courtmacsherry, Roscarbery, Baleen and Rossmore will continue to make excellent use of the Centre. It gives me great pleasure to declare this extension officially open.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.