Kildare charity Sensational Kids welcomes €4.8 million for National Child Development Centre
National Child Development Centre design Image: Sensationalkids.ie
SENSATIONAL Kids has welcomed confirmation that the remaining €4.8 million investment for the National Child Development Centre in Kildare Town has been approved by the Department of Justice under the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP).
The funding represents the balance of the original €9.6 million investment and allows construction to recommence on Phase One of the project.
Following a review during the construction pause, Sensational Kids has adopted a phased approach to ensure a completed and operational therapy centre can open as quickly as possible.
Phase One will deliver an 8,700 sq. ft. facility and will include therapy rooms, sensory motor gym, training spaces for educators and parent support workshops and space for a range of holistic therapies and activities for children and administrative facilities.
The centre is expected to begin seeing children for therapy by the end of 2027.
Sensational Kids also confirmed plans to launch a national fundraising campaign to realise the full vision for the National Child Development Centre through a future Phase Two expansion. An estimated additional €5 million will be required to complete the remaining portion of the original design.
The organisation stressed that Phase One is fully deliverable independently of the future fundraising campaign and is not contingent on securing additional funds for the second phase of development.
Minister Martin Heydon said:
“This is a very important investment in services for children and families, not just in Kildare but across the country. Sensational Kids has demonstrated remarkable commitment in progressing this project, and I am pleased to see this funding now enabling construction to move forward again. The National Child Development Centre will play a vital role in improving access to timely intervention and therapeutic supports for so many children who need them.”
Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl welcomed the announcement, and said:
“This is a very positive step for families. Sensational Kids is already making a meaningful difference through its therapy services in Kildare, and this development represents an important expansion of that work. Their determination in bringing this project forward is commendable, and today’s progress gives great confidence that even more children and families will benefit from enhanced supports in the near future.”
Karen Leigh, CEO and Founder of Sensational Kids, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for Sensational Kids and the children and families we support. Our focus has always been on timely, accessible intervention, and this allows us to move forward with certainty and begin welcoming families by the end of next year. It’s about impact — expanding access to vital therapies that support children’s confidence, communication and independence, and helping every child reach their full potential.” When fully realised, the National Child Development Centre is expected to support hundreds of children every week through occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological services, assessments and family supports.
