That’s a bit Irish!

Connemara-based children with special needs are being prevented from relocating to a purpose-built resource centre – because one of the staff isn’t fluent in Irish.

The HSE this week confirmed it has yet to reach agreement to lease the top floor of the ITT (Ionad Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh) building in Indreabhán for an early intervention programme for children with disabilities.

The facility, built with almost €3 million of public money, has a requirement that all staff working at the ITT must be proficient in the Irish language.

All but one member of the team has some level of Irish – and this person is taking lessons.

The Springtime Early Intervention Service is in partnership by the HSE, Enable Ireland and Brothers of Charity. It provides assessment and intervention to children with complex disabilities from birth to six years of age.

There are currently 46 children from South and West Connemara availing of the service, which was run from the old primary school in An Spidéal since 2009.

But the lease on that building finishes at the end of March and the HSE had been trying to negotiate with the operators of the purpose-built ITT in Indreabhán.

It is understood the ITT is insisting that an Irish language clause be enforced, which precludes the HSE from using it because not all staff on the team are fluent in Irish.

Parents of children who benefit from the early intervention programme, including occupational therapy and physiotherapy, are angry.

“Some of the children who use these services cannot speak at all, either in English or Irish,” said one parent.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.