CONFIRMATION that Inishowen Children’s Autism Related Education (iCARE) is to receive €200,000 in recurring annual funding has been welcomed by Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue.

Established in September 2000 by a small group of parents, iCARE supports individuals with autism and their families in the Inishowen area.

Speaking at the official funding announcement in Buncrana on Wednesday afternoon, the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy said: “This is a really good day for iCARE and I want to acknowledge the massive work that has been done to bringing it to where it is today. iCARE provides such an important and much-needed service for families and the young people who avail of it.”

Extending his thanks to iCARE chairperson, Doreen Friel, the board, committee members past and present, parents, the staff at the facility and Edel Quinn, Head of Service, Disabilities Services, and her team, for their tremendous work down the years, Minister McConalogue continued: “This is a significant step forward for iCARE and we need to make sure that this is part of your journey and the next step in your journey because there is so much potential here. You have done so much with so little and have provided so much support to so many families with very limited resources before now.”

“I have no doubt the funding allocated will be well spent and will make a massive impact in relation to the young people and the families of Inishowen that will avail of it. It has been a long journey, but this is a big step,” the Donegal Minister of State added.