June 2009
Minister Mary Hanafin, Minister for Social and Family Affairs has launched the advocacy service for people with a disability and mental health difficulties in the Dublin 15 area. The Advocacy Service Dublin 15 is funded by the Citizens Information Board through its Community and Voluntary Sector advocacy programme for people with a disability.
The project proposal was originally developed by the Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (CIL). The aim of the project was to develop an advocacy service for people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities located in the Dublin 15 area. Blanchardstown CIL, as lead, submitted a joint application with Blanchardstown CIS to CIB which was successful, and in late 2007 started the process of developing the project. The many stages involved in developing this project included the assembly of a project steering group and the recruitment of an advocate.
Service Target Group
Blanchardstown Dublin 15 area of Fingal currently has a population of over 200,000, of whom 16,000 are people who identify as having a disability (CSO 2007). Many of these disabled people remain isolated due to an inability to access the services they require. This project seeks to promote the Independent Living Philosophy which sees people with disabilities living like everyone else, having control over their own lives, having opportunities to make decisions that affect their own lives and being able to pursue activities of their own choosing.
The advocacy service serves all adults who present as having a disability in the Dublin 15 area, including:
- People with disabilities living in residential service settings who wish to move towards independent living.
- People with disabilities living with family.
- People who wish to remain in residential service settings but have issues relating to rights, entitlements, services, supports, and their living environment.
- People living alone who have issues related to rights, entitlements, services, supports and their living environment.
- People who wish to avail of services provided by BCIL but who are excluded for reasons such as waiting list factors, access issues, and the relevance of the service on offer.
- People who in medical setting undergoing treatment or following an accident, who may require assistance in securing their rights and entitlements in disability issues following their discharge.
In identifying suitable candidates to take part in the project the advocate works closely with other statutory, community and voluntary organisations. Referrals can also come from families of the client and from the client him/herself. The project has expanded its client profile to include people with mental health issues and urgent referrals outside the geographic area have been taken when requested by CIB. To date the service has already had 22 people requiring assistance.
The launch was attended by a range of interested parties including members of statutory, community and voluntary organisations and also service users. Ms. Aine Lawlor, Morning Ireland, Radio one, was master of ceremonies. Guest speakers at the launch included Mr. Laurence Whelan, Chairperson and Director of the Board of Blanchardstown Centre of Independent Living, Professor Orla Hardiman, Consultant Neurologist, Beaumont Hospital, Ms Mary Leahy recipient of the Advocacy Service Dublin 15 and Mr. Tony McQuinn, Chief Executive, CIB.
Pictured l-r: Aine Lawlor (Presenter Morning Ireland, RTE radio 1), Tony McQuinn (CIB), Laurence Whelan (Chairperson Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (BCIL)), Minister Mary Hanafin, Professor Orla Hardiman (Director of Neurology and the National Neuroscience Centre of Ireland at Beaumont Hospital), Mary Leahy (Service User).
Pictured back l-r: Michela Benassi (Development Manager Blanchardstown/Dublin 15 CIS and Chair of steering group of dis. Adv. Project), Cathy O'Donoghue (CIB), Laurence Whelan (Chair of BCIL), Gerry Hegarty (CIB), Tony McQuinn (CIB), Eileen Fitzgerald (CIB), Josette Cuthbert (CIB), Liam Keogh (Daughters of Charity and member of steering group). Pictured front l-r: Minister Mary Hanafin, Mary Linehan (Advocate for project).
Pictured back l-r: Sinead McCabe, Aisling Comley, Laurence Whelan, Nuala McClure, Geraldine Rooney, Mary Linehan. Pictured front l-r: Michael McCabe, Victor Gibson
Pictured l-r: Frances Swan, Geraldine Rooney, Michael McCabe, Sinead McCabe, Nuala McClure
