Delight with services for Laois people with disabilities provided at Portlaoise hub

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) was delighted to welcome members of the Laois Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) to its service centre in Portlaoise recently. 

The visit to the centre on the St Fintan’s Hospital Campus commenced with a banjo performance by Aidan McFall. Guests also toured the centre’s Accessible Gym, a project funded by the Sport Ireland Dormant Account Capital Fund (2023). The gym has recently expanded with a new accessible treadmill funded through the LEP Grant Scheme and is widely used by service members from Laois and surrounding counties.

A statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live said IWA Service Co-ordinator Sylvia Rouget welcomed the visiting LCDC members, including Michael Rainey, Chief Executive of Laois County Council.

Sylvia Rouget, Service Manager at the IWA, welcomed the guests and emphasised the importance of community partnerships.

“This facility has widened the range of services provided to our users. We are proud to share not only our facilities, but our expertise, learning, time, and efforts with our community partners," she said.

Mr Rainey said he was delighted to be part of the visit to see first-hand the work they do from the Portlaoise hub to empower people with disabilities across Laois and beyond.

"Their commitment to inclusion, independence, and community support is truly inspiring. As a local authority, we are proud to collaborate with organisations like the IWA to ensure that accessibility and equality remain at the heart of our services,” he said.

A statement said the Laois LCDC thanked Ms Rouget and her team and looked forward to future collaborations. It added that the IWA acknowledged the support of Catriona Slattery, Disability Officer with Laois Sports Partnership, as well as the cooking and nutrition classes funded by Healthy Laois.

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LCDC member in attendance included: Cllr John King, Cllr Paschal McEvoy, Brian Brennan, and Pat Whelan, IWA staff member and service user in addition to his LCDC role.

Emma O’Connor, Healthy Laois Co-ordinator, Georgina Ireland, Chief Officer with Laois LCDC and Elaine Duff, Laois County Council were also present.

The Laois LCDC, established in July 2014 in line with national policy, is comprised of representatives from Laois County Council, state agencies, and social and economic partners.

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The council says the committee, which is supported by the local authority's Community Development section, plays a key role in coordinating community funding, advancing local projects, and promoting engagement across the county.