In 2005, the CRC completed building a new workshop and day activity centre. The workshop was designed to create bright and airy conditions for the workers. Following the work, the space dedicated to the Day Activity Centre has increased, and the layout improved. The Day Activity Centre includes an art room, a relaxation room, staff offices, improved toilet facilities and a kitchen. This project was funded solely by the CRC.
An extension to the school was completed in 2006. Five new classrooms were provided, as well as shared areas including music, art, multi-sensory and independent living rooms, as well as toilet and support facilities. On the first floor of this new building, a meeting room and offices were installed. The work on the school was paid for through a grant from the Department of Education and Science, while the CRC funded the work on the meeting and office space on the first floor.
Vocational Training has been operating in the CRC since the early 90's, formally called Training Opportunity Programme (T.O.P.'s). The programme moved to a new building in the CRC in September 1997. The programme changed in 2002 with the introduction of three levels of Pre-Vocational Training and new training modules.
Recently VT extended its current buildings in the CRC and redeveloped its training programme with the introduction of FETAC Level 3 certification.
The official 2007 VT opening will be the 13th July 2007 which also marks 10 years of Vocational Training in the CRC.
A substantial refurbishment of our main facility in Clontarf was recently completed, with a view to increasing space and improving the layout of the departments. This will have an immediate and direct impact on families and clients. New services and specialised clinics can now be developed by multi-disciplinary teams, more space means greater comfort for seeing clients and upgraded facilities will result in services reflecting the latest thinking on the treatment and care of children and adults with physical disabilities. This work was funded solely by the CRC.
The current premises in Waterford are far smaller than needs dictate and the clinic is in urgent need of larger and more suitable facilities. Therapists and administrative staff are required to share therapy rooms and cramped administrative facilities due to lack of space. A prefab building to the rear of the existing clinic has been recently constructed to accommodate the overflow and to provide psychological and seating services, which cannot be facilitated in the existing clinic. The proposed new building would house a full range of medical and therapeutic services, linked to the existing premises. This project will be jointly funded by the HSE-South and the CRC.
A recent engineering survey revealed significant corrosion in the roof and column structures of the CRC Swimming pool, requiring immediate attention. In addition to the remedial work on the steel structure, the pool tank, the toilet facilities, showers and changing rooms will be refurbished. While much of the essential work being carried out will not be visible, as it involves steelwork in the roof space and walls, the changing rooms and toilets will be refurbished and the pool itself will be retiled. The pool was closed in Summer 2006 and work is currently underway. This project is expected to be completed in April / May 2007.
A redevelopment of Scoil Mochua is currently underway. This comprises of a new school and an extensive treatment and therapy facility. These services would provide the full range of therapy and support services, a primary and secondary school for children with physical disabilities and associated administrative backup, all located in one centre.
The CRC has recently established CRC medical devices, to provide medical devices to CRC clients.