MINISTER Anne Rabbitte visited St. Gabriel’s in Limerick during the week.
The Minister of State received a very warm welcome on her visit to St. Gabriel‘s School & Centre and was welcomed by Máire O‘Leary, CEO and was accompanied by a number of local political representatives.
The Minister was in the region visiting some of the voluntary organisations.
During an extensive tour of St. Gabriel‘s facilities which included the hydrotherapy pool, orthotics department and St. Gabriel‘s School she met several staff and she chatted to several students during the walk about.
The Minister‘s visit followed a recent announcement of €1.1million funding to open a new regional respite service at St. Gabriel‘s Children‘s Respite House for children with significant physical disabilities and the most complex medical needs.
St. Gabriel‘s provide a range of specialist services and therapeutic interventions for over 850 children with disabilities form the Midwest. 65 children with disabilities attend a special school onsite.
This year St. Gabriel‘s will commemorate its 60th year anniversary (1961–2021) It was first established by the Crabtree family in St. Joseph Street. Over the years it has continued to support children with disabilities and their families.
In more recent years the organisation has expanded its services and facilities beyond a school and centre and now includes services for adults in the community. A series of events to mark the 60th year anniversary are planned for the year ahead.
