Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has visited the site of a new £3.7m Social Education Centre and a new £2.3m Children’s Home in Newry.

The two separate new units - located on the same site - are scheduled to be completed in July 2010.

The facilities will provide day care services for adults with a learning disability and specialist health and social care for children and young people with learning disabilities who also have had challenging behaviour.

-- Advertisement --

Minister McGimpsey said: "This new Social Education Centre will provide a much needed facility to replace outdated accommodation in the Newry area. Dedicated staff have for too long endeavoured to provide a professional and caring service from unsuitable accommodation.

"The centre will enable the latest in treatment and care to be provided for adults with learning disabilities in the Newry area."

Mr McGimpsey added: "The new Children's Home brings a long awaited boost in available residential child care for children with complex needs in the wider Southern Trust area.

"Children will receive the latest in treatment and care in a modern domestic style facility with specially adapted en-suite rooms, therapy rooms and gardens."

(PR/JM)