THE Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake the rehabilitation and equipping of the facilities of the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP) on Hanover Street in Kingston.

Funded at a cost of $40 million from the Inter-American Development Bank, the ESP project will include the construction of an assessment building inclusive of speech and occupational therapy room; sanitation block; storage room; provision of equipment (inclusive of weights, mirrors, harness, treadmills and cork flooring).

Works are expected to begin in four months with completion in another four.

Antonica Gunter-Gayle, executive director for the ESP, noted that the staff are now unable to effectively provide services to the large population of children with disabilities due to the deplorable state of the current building in use.

Scarlette Gillings, managing director for JSIF said the current building is unsafe for both the clients and staff, having, among other things, been constructed using material with asbestos.

The current staff of 40 serves approximately 1,412 children.