The Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services (DOC) is a member of the Federation of Voluntary Bodies, an alliance of the 61 organisations within Ireland that provide services to people with intellectual disabilities. In comparison to many smaller locally-based organisations, the DOC Disability Support Service is a national organisation with ID Service centres in Dublin, Limerick and North Tipperary and is one of the larger agencies in Ireland, caring for over 2,500 people with disabilities both in full-time care and in specialist centres on a daily basis in Ireland.

Some Recent Developments

A prime example of a DOC facility is the Sonas project at St Joseph's Centre in Clonsilla, Dublin which comprises of six specially designed bungalows providing 36 private bedrooms, a Special Dementia unit the Willow and Meadow View Centre and a high support unit known as Grange Apartments. These new buildings are clustered around landscaped courtyards beside the original St Joseph's residential wings. Each new building is specifically designed to meet the needs of the individuals residing in them.The individualised model of care, guiding the services provided in St. Joseph's, ensures that the service users are encouraged to live active and inclusive lives in their retirement years. This is achieved through a proactive approach to the health and social needs of the older person.

In 2013 the DOC developed a World dementia care and memory unit at this site for the care and provision of DOC clients. The team were also winners of 'Building Project of the Year' and 'Specialist Care Centre of the Year' at the Irish Healthcare Centre Awards 2014.

For more information see http://www.docservice.ie/index.aspx