Planning permission sought for dedicated Down Syndrome centre

PLANS to establish a dedicated centre for people with Down Syndrome in the west of Ireland are progressing.

An application for planning permission for a new centre, to be based in Swinford, has been lodged with Mayo County Council.

Approval is being sought to change the use of a property at Kilbride from residential to a community facility, plus an extension and alterations to the existing building.

The late Máirt Campbell donated his home in Swinford for the purpose of developing a centre to provide services and supports to children and adults with Down Syndrome. The four-bedroom bungalow is strategically located outside Swinford, just off the N5.

In documents lodged with the planning application, Down Syndrome Ireland say they wish to use Martin's legacy as intended and develop the house into a setting that can be used by people in the west.

They propose that the internal layout be changed to allow for a meeting/office/training space, two treatment rooms that could be used for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language, and a sensory room/playroom, and an outdoor special needs playground.

It sets out that typical daily usage of the centre would be split into day and evening use.

It is intended to have an admin person based on site and a regional officer using the centre as their base of operations to service the Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim branches.

“Having this centre in the west will allow for better outcomes for children and adults in our community. It will allow our children the best start and our adults the opportunity to gain independence and employment,” the submission stated.

Today, incidentially, is World Down Syndrome Day and people around the globe are rocking their odd socks to celebrate.

World Down Syndrome Day is a day to celebrate the ones we love who have Down Syndrome and to spread awareness.

Down Syndrome Ireland is launching a number of new supports to mark #WDSD2019 throughout the day.