*Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne with creche owner Siobhán Mulderrig and one of the children attending the creche

A SHANNON creche owner is “very frustrated” at a situation which has left a two-year old without a suitable chair to eat their lunch.

Alex (not real name), who goes to Kidz Haven Crèche, Shannon for playschool has recently been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. They have complex needs including being unable to sit unattended without a support seat, and requiring a specific ‘Roomer buddy walker’ to move and play. Alex, at two and a half years old, is too young for the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme and as such, Alex gets no AIM (access and inclusion model) support for essential equipment.

Creche owner, Siobhan Mulderrig, says that flexibility is needed. “I feel very strongly that there needs to be underage intervention in complex cases like this. Alex is a wonderful little child who wants to be involved with the rest of their peers in the classroom. Unfortunately, without proper equipment we are struggling to meet their needs.”

At present the creche are sharing a walker from Alex’s home. This vital piece of equipment is quite heavy and cumbersome which makes transporting it to and from the service every day quite difficult for their parents. There is a high risk of this life-altering piece of equipment being damaged, which Ms Mulderrig considers unacceptable.

“Alex is just like any other two and a half year old. They love to play with their little friends, they sing and take part in activities which are arranged around their needs – but Alex cannot even sit at the table and eat their snack with the children due to the lack of a suitable chair. Alex can only walk around and play if their parents drag this cumbersome walker in with them every morning at 8am.”

Clare TD Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) recently visited the service and met Alex. She had extended a request from the Dáil floor for Minister O’ Gorman to join her, but that request went unanswered. “This is the second time this year I have attempted to bring local issues to O’Gorman’s attention,” says Deputy Wynne, “and again, neither he nor any member of his Department were willing to come out and see the effect their policies are having on local people.”

Ms Mulderrig has highlighted Alex’s case to the Minister on numerous occasions, and to date has received no response. She is currently employing a full time SNA at her own expense for Alex – because she believes Alex should be given the same opportunities as their peers. “Alex is an absolute delight to have in our service. They have wonderful parents who have been fighting for them since the day Alex came into the world. These parents will unfortunately have to continue to fight for Alex for the rest of their life.”

Related News

east clare memorial pat hayes
East Clare Memorial Committee to hold annual Easter commemoration
Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland
Kilkee named as Ireland's hidden gem by Lonely Planet
david gillick 1
Olympian effort by Ballinasloe Marathon Kids
cliffs of moher visitor centre 1
Council paid €8m to acquire two pieces of land adjacent to Cliffs of Moher

Advertisement

Latest News
clare v leitrim 02-05-25 alan sweeney 1
New rules, new management but Sweeney serving as a constant fixture in Clare defence
Shannon-Airport-2
Reconfigured Airport Oireachtas group need to tackle Shannon's lack of connectivity to mainland Europe
clare v tipperary 01-11-20 25 eoin cleary kevin fahey
Clare & Tipperary's recent meetings in Munster football championship more favourable for The Premier
HOMETRENDS
HUGE 5-DAY CLEARANCE SALE! HOME TRENDS, PARNELL STREET, ENNIS
clare v galway camogie 15-05-21 ciara grogan
Grogan, Murphy & O'Keeffe return to Clare squad ahead of Munster opener
Premium
sixmilebridge v crusheen 24-08-24 tadhg dean 1
Crusheen go top of Clare Cup standings following Cratloe win
bunratty castle folk park 2
Audit raises questions of Council's governance following management of Bunratty deal
john conlon 1
'At 36 my body feels as good as it's ever been' - Conlon geared up for seventeenth season in saffron and blue
clare v offaly 23-03-25 ikem ugwueru 3
Ikem a major injury doubt for Clare as Cleary recovers
shane kingston 2
Competition to get on Cork team & panel is the best I've seen says Kingston

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement