About North Tipperary Disability Support Service

In 1998, research was carried out by the local community development organisation (BAND), and the finding of this research was the need for a Personal Assistant service in the rural area of North Tipperary. Through this, a committee was formed to set about establishing the company.

John Carroll inspired this group, and he worked untiringly towards its achievement before his untimely death. Truly a man of independence, he was a beacon of light and an inspiration to so many people whose lives might otherwise have remained in darkness, were it not for his research and determination to do all he could to promote independent living.

John drafted a proposal that was submitted to FÁS (now the DEASP) for a Personal Assistant service for 12 participants, comprising a supervisor, a clerical officer, and 10 PAs. Shortly after John’s untimely death, the proposal was approved, and so began NTDSS. The company was formed in 2000 and opened its doors on 18 November 2001, with Patricia Carroll as Supervisor and Ann Ryan as Clerical Officer. The project provided a Personal Assistant service to 10 people with a disability. This was based at the Old Church, Borrisokane.

In 2003, there was an official launch by Mary McAleese. This was a great occasion and was attended by service users, families, local politicians, and councillors. NTDSS was funded by CES/FÁS for six years before funding was secured from the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2007.

During this time, Patricia and Ann worked tirelessly to secure this funding through constant applications, meetings, and lobbying of local politicians. HSE funding gave NTDSS the opportunity to expand its services, and by 2018, the organisation was providing support to 70 people with disabilities, enabling a better quality of life and greater independence.

North Tipperary Disability Support Service is a company limited by guarantee, and became a registered charity in 2003. Every person is welcome to become a member of NTDSS, and there is no requirement for our members to have a disability. In practice, active membership fluctuates with the various undertakings of the association. The structures and governance we put in place ensure that we maintain the quality of services over time.

The board comprises eight directors, chaired by a person with a disability. Directors are elected annually at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Each director signs a Code of Conduct to ensure that we operate under the Principles of Good Governance.

The organisation is a member of the Disability Federation of Ireland and also a member of the Centre for Independent Living Network.