Minister ‘inspired’ by visit to sight centre

MINISTER Frances Fitzgerald paid tribute to a unique project in Clondalkin recently that provides early learning for children with sight loss.

The Minister for Justice and Equality said she met some inspirational children and parents on her recent visit to the Solas Centre.

Run by NCBI, the national sight loss organisation, the centre provides a vibrant, fun and specialised environment for young children with sight loss and their parents.

Elaine Howley, the CEO of NCBI Services told the minister that the children who attend their Early Learning Centre often have additional disabilities, as well as sight loss.

“The centre is a pre-school facility, working with children from birth to six years of age, intervening at a time when parents may be dealing with a new diagnosis and unsure of what lies ahead for their child,

? she said.

“The NCBI provides information and support to parents and offers an individualised early educational programme for each child.

“Access to early intervention is crucial in order for each child to reach their potential. Parents say that the support and information sharing between them which takes place at the centre is invaluable to them.

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Minister Fitzgerald commended the staff at the Early Learning Centre as she pledged her support.

“I was most favourably impressed by the range of activities, supports and equipment available to students at the Solas Centre,

? the minister said.

“Meeting with the centre’s staff and NCBI officials gave me a thorough overview of the education on offer and how their programmes have been designed, while a wide-ranging discussion with parents really emphasised how valuable this has been for their children’s development.

“I commend the staff for the vital service they provide, and we will work with them to ensure that their efforts are supported wherever possible.

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The NCBI provides practical and emotional support to individuals and families, as well as rehabilitation services and training designed to help people with sight loss to live independently.

Its Early Learning Centre in Clondalkin was established in 2003 and what started out as a children’s activity room and a computer room now includes a state-of-the-art multi-sensory room, a garden with a sensory area and climbing apparatus.

Caitriona Breslin, from Clondalkin, whose daughter Aoibhinn attends NCBI’s Early Learning Centre, believes that the centre was a lifeline for her family.

“Aoibhinn has a rare metabolic disorder called MTHFR Deficiency which wasn’t known of in Ireland until a couple of years ago,

? she explained.

“We were advised that visual stimulation would be most important.

“When I brought Aoibhinn to the Early Learning Centre the staff told me to leave her and I couldn’t believe that was possible, because she has other conditions, like epilepsy.

“But they are equipped to deal with that. I couldn’t believe that someone was going to take my baby and give me two hours. It was a lifeline.

“Since then, Aoibhinn’s sight had improved tremendously.

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