An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern TD, officially opened the National Council for the Blind of Ireland's Iona Adult Centre for Vision Impaired People in Glasnevin, today, Monday 8 April 2002.

The centre, on Iona Crescent, Glasnevin, will serve as an adult training centre for vision impaired people in the region, providing vision impaired people with the opportunity to use computers with large print and speech adaptive software to enable them to cope better with sight loss by generally improving their skills. The centre will have on offer a wide range of recreational and leisure activities as well as offering those attending treatments in reflexology and aromatherapy. The centre boasts a fully fitted gym area for classes from movement and relaxation to more energetic activities such as dancing and fitness training. It will also provide self development training in music appreciation, drama, public speaking and literature appreciation.

An Taoiseach was given a tour of the building and took the opportunity to inspect the equipment and facilities of the centre which will be available to 20 people on a daily and minimum of 40 people on a weekly basis. He also took the time to meet many of the vision impaired people who will use the centre, who spoke to him of the importance of such facilities to them.

Speaking at the event, an Taoiseach spoke of the significance of NCBI's work in Ireland. "The success of the NCBI over 70 years is anchored in quality facilities like this centre and in a founding mission to enabling people who experience problems with their eyesight to achieve their full potential as independent, equal members of our community".

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation offering a nationwide service to over 6,000 adults and children annually experiencing problems with their sight. Services include, equipment and technology resource centres in many locations, talking book and Braille libraries, bi-monthly magazine, information and equipment resource centre, mobility and daily living skills training, peer counselling and family therapy, centre based rehabilitation, low vision clinic, employment support service and technology assessment and support unit. NCBI is to add to its children's services this year with a new preschool and early learning centre.

Speaking on behalf of the NCBI, Chairperson Mr. Henry Tierney said that he considered them "to have a progressive and innovative approach to our work with vision impaired people. We respect our traditional roots but are driven by service goals that are shaped by feedback from our vision impaired service users and professional staff. The Iona Centre is part of the new way forward in the delivery of local and meaningful services to vision impaired people."