REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE REALT BEAG CENTRE, BALLYFERMOT STAR
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT THE OPENING OF THE REALT BEAG CENTRE, BALLYFERMOT STAR FRIDAY, 10TH OCTOBER 2008
Dia dhíbh a chairde. Tá an áthas orm bheith i bhur measc ar on ocáid seo. Míle bhuíochas díbh as an gcuireadh agus an fáilte a thug sibh dom.
I am delighted to be with you today to officially open Realt Beag Child and Family Centre, the first such purpose built centre in Ireland and the latest of many pioneering initiatives undertaken by Ballyfermot STAR to help deal with drug or alcohol abuse. I thank Sunniva Finlay, Manager of Ballyfermot STAR, for inviting me to this day of celebration and of hope.
Drug and alcohol addiction affects not just addicts. The effects hit parents, grandparents, partners, children, siblings, friends, neighbours and the wider community. In this extended circle around the drug user, the most defenceless and vulnerable group are the children. We would all like our children to be born into homes where they are loved and cherished, where they can grow up living joyful and carefree lives, exploring their world and developing their talents in a secure and protected environment. But for those children born into homes damaged by drug abuse, life can be very different. Instead of stability, there is fear and insecurity, instead of support, there is neglect and indifference. Relationships become twisted, trust and love get eaten away and the cycle of misery deepens. One nine year old child of an addict told me in very graphic language that his addict parent “has an evil twin.” That is how it appeared to a child wondering which version of that parent would be there when she got home from school, the sober or the drunk, the calm and caring or the violent and menacing. No child should or could carry such a burden which is why the approach of Ballyfermot Star is so important for it looks deep into the life of the addict, into all those messed up relationships and it offers the possibility that the cycle of misery can be broken.
Today we celebrate one important step in breaking that cycle. By providing a quality childcare service, Realt Beag is laying the right foundation to promote and encourage the social, psychological and educational development of the young child. The benefits of quality childcare endure into adulthood and benefit not only the individual child but their families, communities and society as a whole. Providing for children's needs and giving them a head-start in life is one of the most important functions of any community and the team behind the Realt Beag Centre have risen magnificently to the challenge. There is an old saying that what is learnt in childhood is engraved on stone. It is a chilling thought that if we engrave badly, the damage could be etched so deeply that it will last a lifetime. This project is about good, wise, caring engraving on the little life of a growing child, allowing him or her to blossom in a nurturing environment. The lovely child-centred design and physical lay-out of Realt Beag is all about creating an atmosphere where children can learn well, safely, healthily and above all happily.
Good quality accessible childcare is a key support for parents as they make their own difficult journeys in dealing with addiction. It is a comfort and friend to grandparents or other carers who are thrust into the job of caring for children of addicts. These can be difficult and lonely journeys at times and so a wise guide like Ballyfermot STAR is an important source of confidence, reassurance and encouragement. It is also a resource with a roadmap out of addictions grip. Its great strength is that this is a community dealing with the problems of its own members, rallying round, finding answers together. Ballyfermot STAR’s existence and success rests on the strong community spirit of Ballyfermot and the determination of its people to transcend the problems that lead to wasted lives, lives half-lived, talents thrown away. This is about giving people a chance to change, giving children a safe space to grow so that this community will reap the benefits in strong adults, who are problem solvers rather than problems.
This is a proud day for the people of Ballyfermot. Most of all it is a wonderful and hope-filled day for the children who are already here and for those who will come here in the future. I wish everyone involved with the Realt Beag Centre every success.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.