Kanturk equine therapy centre will assist children with physical and emotional challenges

Taoiseach Micheál Martin this week turned the sod on two developments at St Joseph’s Foundation, Kanturk — a new regional children’s respite and residential centre, and an equine assisted therapy centre.

He was joined by minister of state with responsibility for special education and inclusion Michael Moynihan, members of the board of St Joseph’s Foundation, representatives from the HSE, community partners, families and invited guests to officially mark the commencement of these two landmark developments.

Both developments will be funded by the HSE, built on land donated by the Jarvey family, and run by St Joseph’s Foundation.

The regional children’s respite and residential centre will consist of two houses, providing respite for up to 60 children and young people each year, while the other will provide four placements for residential care, transitional care and emergency placements.

Construction on both is expected to begin before the end of the year.

The equine assisted therapy centre will deliver therapeutic programmes, creating opportunities for children and young people to enhance their physical, emotional and developmental wellbeing through structured equine-assisted interventions.

Mr Martin said: “These developments will contribute immensely to the community of Kanturk, to Cork and the broader region, and, most importantly, to the lives of so many disabled people and their families. I am determined that government will create a step change in disability services. 

"Developments such as this, supported by the Government through the HSE, are an important contribution to this. I would also like to recognise the contribution of Kate Jarvey, whose generous land donation to the St Joseph’s Foundation is making this project possible.”

St Joseph’s Foundation CEO Michael Hegarty said: “This is an incredibly exciting and ambitious development for St Joseph’s Foundation for the children, young people and families we support.

“Building on the tremendous success of our existing equine services at Liskennett, these developments represent the next stage in our commitment to forward-thinking, innovative and responsive disability services.”

Sonya Cotter, HSE manager for Cork North and West, said: “This partnership highlighted what can be achieved when government, healthcare providers, community organisations and families work together to respond to the needs of children and their families.”