of language delayed children over the past five years. These children have come from all over the greater Dublin area and as far away as Garristown in Co Meath, Celbridge in Co Kildare and Shillelagh in Co Wicklow. Parents and siblings gain by being able to communicate more easily with these children. The children are able to attend mainstream national schools and not be handicapped by communication delays.
Our teachers are highly-educated professionals with psychology, sociology, education and other degrees. In addition, we have three highly trained and well experienced professionals (Deirdre, Sharon & Triona) who not only direct the clinical aspects of the program but routinely observe the children and counsel the teachers and parents regarding their treatment.
With 40 professionals providing direct and indirect care for almost 100 children, ELI is an expensive endeavour to operate. As much as this service is needed, ELI does not get any funding from the State; we are completely funded by the parents of the children we treat. The cost to parents to have their child attend ELI are €545 per month for the pre-school, providing 2 ½ hours of therapy per day, 5 days per week. The cost for the ABA program €1200 per month for an additional 2 ½ hours of individual therapy per day. While the tuition is expensive, the costs to the children and families of not availing of the services are much higher. These include lack of communication, miscommunication, behavioural problems and failure to meet expectations/abilities in society. Without our services, many children would not have been able to attend mainstream schools or, for some, any school at all. Studies have shown that early intervention investments pay dividends 7 times their cost.
Even with all this revenue, we are just about breaking even. It is for this reason that we raise funds from private donors. In the 2005-06 academic year we raised over €20,000. Last year we raised over €30,000; a better result, but still not enough.
The cost of our staff, as with most of Ireland, has risen dramatically. The rental cost of appropriate space has increased. While we passed on some of this cost to parents (our tuition increased by 10% over last year), we have to strike a balance between what people can afford and what it costs to run the program. We need the help of our donors to ensure that we can continue on our mission.
Donations can be made to Express Yourself, our registered charity, at:
Bank of Ireland
Kill o' the Grange
Blackrock, Co Dublin
Sort Code 901183
Account 20687129
Reference "Donation"
Donations can also be made using your credit card by calling Adrienne @ (01) 202 0489.
We are thankful for any donations we receive and thank you very much for your help.
Tax Relief
Donations to Express Yourself qualify for tax relief provided that a minimum of €250 is donated in any year.
Companies can claim a deduction for the donation to us; you will receive a receipt from us for the amount that you donate.
PAYE tax-payer who donate at least €250 enable Express Yourself to claim the tax back from the revenue commissioners at the end of the tax year. All we require is for you to complete a certificate with the amount donated and your personal public service number.
Self-Assesed Individuals who donate at least €250 qualify for tax relief; you will receive a receipt from us for the amount that you donate.
