Contact Us
Carmichael House,
North Brunswick St.,
Dublin 7,
Ireland.
Tel. 01 8730455
01 8730986
Fax: 01 8730998
Email:
info@dublincil.org
Offaly Centre for Independent Living
Overview:
'How can we improve our situation and empower ourselves?' Offaly CIL began in 1995 as a response to the issues and possible solutions around this question. The subsequent success of Offaly CIL is due entirely to their partnership approach to community development - a partnership involving FÁS, the Midland Health Board and the Department of Education and Science.
In December 2000 Offaly CIL achieved ISO 9002 accreditation. Offaly CIL are the first CE Scheme in Ireland and the first CIL in the world to achieve this high quality management system award. Since then the ISO 9001-2000 standard has also been achieved.
Operational Area:
The Offaly CIL Personal Assistance (PA) Service covers the County of Offaly. The 'Partners in Education' project (see below for details) originally covered the Midland Health Board Region (including Offaly, Westmeath, Longford and Laois), however it is now being distributed to most counties across the country.
Current Activities:
- Personal Assistant Service
Offaly CIL opened its doors in September 1995 with eleven Personal Assistants (PAs) and ten people with disabilites (Leaders). Today 57 PAs and 87 Leaders are involved in the organisation, spear-headed by a Board of Directors and an office staff whose dedication, commitment and loyalty has led the organisation through a phenomenal period of growth.
This project is aimed at mainstreaming education for students with special needs who have ability but require special aids and equipment to help them achieve their goals in an inclusive environment. Removing barriers caused by a childs disability, and where appropriate, offering possible solutions based on expertise across many disciplines, promotes the well-being and health of each child to its fullest potential. Based on research carried out by their Education Co-ordinator, Mary Grogan BA, H.Dip., M.Ed.(SEN), a comprehensive manual has been produced and is widely accepted by educationalists nationwide.
The success of this project is largely due to working in partnership with the Department of Education and Science, and in particular the Midland Health Board, who played a huge part in the projects development.
Future Plans:
Offaly CIL's future plan include a desire to design and construct a purpose built building to enable community, voluntary and statutory groups to work in partnership under the same roof, enhancing service delivery and research developments for people with disabilities. Over the years Offaly CIL has recognised common difficulties and gaps for service providers in meeting the needs of their client group. It is felt that through establishment of an inclusive environment, with all relevant organisations working in partnership and located in the same purpose built building, that such gaps in health, education and accesibility to services could be bridged for people with varying disabilities, their families, carers and advocates in Offaly as well as throughout the Midland Health Board region.
People behind Offaly CIL:
- Maura Morgan (Chairperson)
- Michael Nestor (Secretary/PDO)
- Mary Grogan (Treasurer)
- Gabriel Hayden (Director)
- Garrett Culliton (Director)
- John Kincaid (Director)
- Eamonn Henry (Director)
In the Offaly CIL Office:
- Michael Nestor (Participant Development Officer)
- Gabriel Hayden (Administration)
- Rita Dillane (Administration)
- Aoife Fox (Supervisor)
- Noirin Chalouche (Secretary)
- Sean Rickard (Leader Co-ordinator)
Publications:
The following publications are available directly from Offaly CIL. For contact details please see below.
- 'Partners in Education' Manual
- Offaly CIL Annual Report
Contact Details:
Michael Nestor
Kilcruttin Business Park
Cormac Street
Tullamore
Co. Offaly
Tel: 057 93 22832/24144
Fax: 057 93 22832
Email: ocil@eircom.net