About Us

Cork Centre for Independent Living (Cork CIL) was opened in 1996 by people with disabilities. Cork CIL remains committed to working towards the removal of barriers to inclusion and working for rights-based equality legislation for people with disabilities.

There are currently twenty-seven Centres for Independent Living operating throughout Ireland.

Each Centre functions on an individual basis, although all adhere to the same principles of Independent Living. CIL’s provide a range of services to people with a disability. In Ireland they are funded primarily through the Health Services Executive and FÁS.

The Board and staff of Cork CIL work vigorously to ensure that life for people living with physical disabilities is made as straightforward as possible. We do this by working with various Local and National Government Departments to ensure that the prospect of everyday living can be made possible.

We are committed to fight for these rights as we have a passion for life to be an independent journey not an independent struggle

What We Do
Cork Centre for Independent Living works in partnership with people with disabilities, the HSE & FÁS to provide a range of support and services to people with disabilities living in South lee area of Cork city.

Our main aim is to empower and enable people with disabilities to achieve Independent Living, choice and control over their lives and to achieve full and active participation as equal citizens in society

The services offered by Cork CIL aim to respond to individual needs and preferences. Everyone who uses the Cork CIL services is unique, however many people who do use the services have very complex and high support needs.

Services
Cork CIL Services include:

Provision of Personal Assistant (PAs) Service to Adults
Provision of Special Needs Personal Assistant to Children with a primary physical disability in mainstream pre-school setting
Provision of information on the rights and entitlements of people with a disability
Promoting advocacy and self-advocacy
Disability Research & Training
Sponsor FÁS Community Employment Scheme
Supporting employment opportunities for people with a disability

Cork CIL is contracted by the HSE to provide a level of PA services to adults and children with a disability. This statutory funding is limited but we are committed to working to ensure best value and offering services to as many people as possible in line with our Service Level Agreements

Adult Services
To be eligible for Adult Personal Assistant (PA) Services you must be

Between ages of 18 and 65 years
Eligible for inclusion in the National Physical Sensory Disability Data Base (NPSDD) and
Living in South Lee

Applications should in the first instance be made through your local Public Health Nurse. S/he will arrange to meet with you. A written application will be sent by your PHN to the HSE Disability Services. These applications are reviewed by a team made up of representative s of HSE Disability Services, the PHN Service and the Cork Centre for Independent Living.

Based on the information you give, applications are prioritised and placed on a waiting list. As resources become available services are offered to those people on the waiting list.

Children’s Services

Special Needs PA Services to Children in Mainstream Pre-school Settings
For your child to be eligible for Special Needs PA Services in Pre-school s/he must be

Attending or about to attend mainstream preschool,
Eligible for inclusion in the National Physical Sensory Disability Data Base (NPSDD) and
Living in South Lee.

Your child is in all likelihood attending the Community Disability Early Intervention Services, Enable Ireland Early Intervention Services, or a similar service. Application for a PA in preschool should be accompanied with a statement of your child’s need from either the Early Education Specialist, or member of the Early Intervention Team. It is important that Cork CIL is providing a Service that is in line with your child’s assessed needs and as reflected in your Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)

Applications are received by the HSE Disability Office reviewed by the HSE Disability Services Co-ordinator and sent to Cork CIL. We will then contact you. Our aim is to find a suitable PA for your child as soon as possible. We may not be able to offer all the hours that you would like and the service will be reviewed each term with you and the other members of the Early Intervention Teams that your child is linked with.

FÁS Community Employment Project
Cork CIL is a sponsor of a FÁS Community Employment Scheme Participants work in a range of settings including PA and administration. The FÁS Community Employment Schemes offer a valuable opportunity for participants to gain further training and work place skills. (See our Job Opportunities Section).

Organisational Chart

The Board of Management is made up of people with personal and professional experience and an interest in disability issues and services. The CIL Board members have experience in law, finance, IT, health, sport, social and disability services.

Catherine Shortt Chairperson

Ben Coughlan Vice Chairman

Brendan Power Treasurer

Eamon Crowley Company Secretary

Johnny Cronin

Padraig Hannafin

Anita Ryan RGN RSCN

Alison Ryan

Cork CIL is a grass roots organisation Over 50% of Cork CIL BOM use PA services