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The aim of this purpose-built centre is to train mentally subnormal persons
to become as independent and to lead as full a life as possible. Some trainees are
engaged on assembly work sent to the centre by local firms while others work in
the well-equipped laundry section. The latter handles approximately 8,000 to 9,000
articles of clothing and linen each week, collected from more than a hundred
establishments. A special feature of the laundry work is the daily " nappy service "
provided for the residential nursery run by an adjoining local authority. Approximately
500 to 600 nappies are laundered each week. The laundry service for
incontinent persons provided by the Council without charge is also undertaken at
the centre.
Laundry work was subjected to a comprehensive review during the year. The
Council decided on a policy of rationalisation of the scope of the Adult Training
Centre laundry to ensure its greater use by the Council's establishments and to
discontinue or reduce the service to other authorities which had amounted to half
the work done.
I am pleased to report that, during the year, the Education Department was able
to supply two part-time visiting teachers who provided formal education for a
total of seventeen hours per week. Nearly all trainees have benefited from this
service.
The scheme in which twenty selected trainees work in a local factory under
supervision continued to be successful.
Another highly successful enterprise is the garden maintenance contract with
a local firm obtained in 1966. This work is undertaken by a group of trainees under
the supervision of an instructor. I am pleased to report again this year that the
company has expressed satisfaction with the work done.
All trainees are medically inspected annually and parents are invited to attend.
Matters requiring further investigation are referred to the general medical practitioner
concerned. The visiting Medical Officer also acts in the capacity of Her Majesty's
appointed factory doctor.
The Manager and staff continued the club for trainees which is held on the
premises from 3 p.m. onwards every Friday. Activities include : dancing, singing,
games and ten-pin bowling.
On 6th September a civic welcome was extended by His Worship the Mayor
to the Lord Mayor of Cork and seven senior members of the Cork Polio and General
After-Care Association. The party was shown round the Centre by the Chairman
of the Health Committee and a visit was also paid to the trainees working at the
nearby factory.
Representatives of other local authorities and voluntary bodies, as well as
students and sociologists from the Universities in this country and from overseas,
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