Ability West has been granted planning approval for a new residential centre to improve its services in Portumna.
The non-profit providing support for people with an intellectual disability had sough permission for a group home adjacent to its existing Portumna facility.
Ability West already operates a facility on Church Street, Portumna, St. Dympna’s Adult Day Service.
In its application for planning permission the group said that the proximity of the two facilities would be ideal for easy access and staffing of the new group home.
The new group home will be a single-storey building that’s designed to keeps its residents as part of the local community and close to the town’s amenities.
This is important for helping the residents live as independently as possible.
The new residential unit is required to meet the needs of four service users of Ability West which are not being met in their present circumstances.
The new build will free up space for other part time time service users at Ash Services run by Disability West.
The building was designed to meet the specific sensory needs of its residents.
Ability West has been providing services and support for people with an intellectual disability since 1962.
This voluntary organisation supports over 540 children and adults with an intellectual disability or autism in Galway city and county.
They currently operate 58 centres at 13 different towns and villages around Galway, helping to provide people with autonomy and wellbeing.
Galway County Council gave their permission for the development to go ahead with a total of eight conditions attached.
