Children’s Respite House at Lisnagry Limerick
Avista provides support to persons with an intellectual disability in the Dublin, East Limerick and North Tipperary/Offaly areas.
The subject of Project Haven is a new community based Children’s Respite House in Annacotty, to replace San Joseph on the Ballysimon Road which was opened in 2006 . This will substantially increase availability to Children’s Residential Services in the East Limerick/North Tipperary region.
The project cost is estimated at €2m, of which €600,000 has been raised. The remaining funds will be raised through fundraising initiatives and donations by Respect and The Lisnagry Association. Subject to funding being raised the project is due for completion in 2025.
There are currently 25 children availing of the residential service with an average stay per month of 2/3nights. There are currently 32 children awaiting for respite services with an average wait time of two years. There is an ever increasing demand for residential respite as this service has 24 hours nursing support.
The project is to build a new community based residential children’s respite house to the highest environmental standards to replace the existing house. While the current respite house has been registered with HIQA, it is acknowledged by our service, the HSE and HIQA that the environment does not meet the needs of all children with complex medical/nursing/behaviour needs in terms of capacity, space, internal/external play and sensory areas and private space. This restricts the occupancy and capacity of the service in order to support safe and effective service delivery.
The new Respite House will be located in a mature suburban setting in landscaped gardens on the edge of the city. It will have larger rooms fitted out to provide a high level of support for residents and staff. Efficiencies within a purpose designed built facility will result in a substantial increase in the number of respite stays available benefiting children and their parents.