Buttimer welcomes funding for Cork-based disability, elderly and social inclusion support groups

Cork South Central Fine Gael TD and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the awarding of over €350,000 to Cork based groups as part of the latest round of National Lottery grants, as announced by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, TD.

“Very worthy Cork based organisations and projects have been awarded a combined total of more than €350,000 in the latest round of National Lottery funding from the Department of Health.   This recognises their excellent work across a range of sectors and will enable them to continue and expand the services provided to our local community.

  “In the area of disability, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind will receive €50,000 towards the cost of installing an IT/database system.   I know from my conversations with CEO Padraig Mallon that this will help improve the efficiency of the organisation and enable it to further improve the services provided to those who rely on the organisation for invaluable assistance.

“The Matt Talbot Centre in Douglas and its residential unit in West Cork are also to benefit from this round of funding.   It will receive €43,000 towards the cost of funding en-suite bedrooms, a new teaching and learning centre and a workshop.   The services provided by the team at the Matt Talbot centre are essential in helping people put their lives back on track and I am delighted that their continued efforts have been recognised with this significant funding that will enable an even greater number of people to benefit from their work.

“Friendly Call Cork is an excellent community service for those older people who find themselves living alone.   It provides a daily telephone call, which not only provides reassurance and security but also provides an important and friendly chat.   The €18,000 in funding for Friendly Call Cork will be used to employ a fulltime member of staff which will hopefully enable the further expansion of this great service.

“The Minister has also allocated funding to the National Infertility Support & Information Group.   NISIG is a voluntary group that provides support for people who are coming to terms with infertility and supporting them if they embark on some of the treatment options that are available.   I hope that the €33,000 awarded to NISIG will enable it to expand its services and support an even greater number of people.

“Also to receiving support in this round of funding is the Sexual Health Centre.   This Centre, which is led by Deirdre Seery and her team, provides confidential help to many people in Cork and will receive €33,000 in funding.   This will enable it to continue its improvement in the quality of the response to HIV.   Sexual health and awareness must be continued to be promoted, as too often treatable problems go undiagnosed because of a reluctance to discuss and confront these issues.

“Carrigaline Family Support Initiative is another group that is to receive funding.   It will be awarded €20,000 towards the cost of purchasing a wheelchair accessible mini bus.

“National Lottery funding provides an important financial support for a range of services in our community.   It is used to promote social inclusion, provide services for people with disabilities, provide services for older people and to help people move away from drug use.   I am delighted that the Minister has decided to use the grant funding that is available to him to support worthy projects that will deliver real benefits for our community.”