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CDI Newsletter Summer 2025
CDI Receives EIQA Quality Award
We’re proud to share that CDI has achieved Q Mark Level 3 for the third year running, with our score rising from 872 to 890 in 2025 – setting a new benchmark for excellence in the charity sector.
“This result validates our team’s dedication and drive,” said Marian Quinn, CEO of CDI. “The 18-point increase reflects our commitment to raising standards every year.”
The Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA) praised CDI as a “highly engaged, community-focused and professional organisation,” excelling across areas such as:
- Governance: Robust financial and data protection systems.
- Programme impact: Research-based, responsive, and outcome-focused.
- Staff culture: A positive, supportive environment with strong leadership and continuous learning.
Removing Barriers: Support Pathways – Now in 6 Languages!
Did you know that in South Dublin alone, over 1,700 children in Early Years and school-age childcare settings speak a language other than English or Irish (Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile).
At our neighbouring St. Mark’s Community School, more than 50 languages are spoken by pupils. We believe that strong communities are built through collaboration—between families, professionals, and local services. That’s why we’ve made our Support Pathways for Children with Additional Needs resource available in six languages: Ukrainian, Urdu, Somali, Georgian, Arabic and English. We invite you to share the link in your networks.
Designed as a guide for parents of children with additional needs, Support Pathways also equips Early Years professionals, educators, and community workers to share clear, reliable information in a language families understand. It’s a practical tool for capacity building, helping to remove barriers and create a more inclusive support system for everyone.
We received Toy Show Appeal funding!
We were delighted to receive Toy Show Appeal funding in 2025. It will help us to get over 50,000 books to children aged 0–5 right here in Dublin 24. This community means everything to us and to support the families here.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting programme for children aged from birth to 5, living in Dublin 24, brought to Ireland by CDI in 2019. On signing up, eligible children will receive a special book delivery every month until their 5th birthday, at no cost to families.
Find out more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Celebrating 10 years of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme
We are part of the national Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme, which operates in twelve communities across the country. The Programme recently marked its tenth anniversary with a conference that highlighted key learning, including effective approaches to engaging parents, enhancing the monitoring of outcomes, and the vital importance of early intervention. Kate Duggan, CEO of Tusla, acknowledged the significant role the ABC Programme plays in preventing difficulties before they arise and in providing timely support. She also praised staff for their dedication and the high standard of delivery.
New faces at CDI
We’re delighted to welcome Jennifer Brophy to the CDI team. Jennifer has joined us as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist. She will be working in our Chit Chat programme, supporting children in early learning centres and junior primary schools. Jennifer has lots of experience helping both children and adults with speech, language and communication, and has worked in the Dublin 24 area for several years.
We also warmly welcome our newest Board member, Eileen McCabe. Eileen is a solicitor with over 15 years’ experience, now specialising in judicial review, particularly in education and social welfare. She previously worked in criminal defence and with the Refugee Legal Service.
Meet them and the rest of our talented team.
Latest Programme Reports Now Available
Our latest reports provide key insights into the impact of CDI’s programmes.
If you’re a practitioner, policymaker or supporter, these findings can support your own work and advocacy. They provide valuable data and insights into the work that CDI does and its impact.
Download the Powerful Parenting Programme report
