In late news at time of going to press (Wednesday evening ) it has emerged that respite services provided by the Brothers of Charity in Galway are to remain at previous levels.
Following a meeting with the Ministers and the officials from the Department of Health and the HSE Anne Geraghty stated that the Brothers of Charity Services Galway are optimistic that the funding level that was agreed between the HSE and the Brothers of charity Services Galway in April 2010 will remain intact and that no further funding cuts will be made to the Brothers of Charity Services Galway budget in 2010. The Brothers of Charity and the HSE also agreed today that the discontinuance of the respite services in Limerick would be re-examined.
In the context of this understanding the Brothers of Charity Services Galway undertook to ensure that respite services will continue to be provided at the levels agreed with the HSE for the remainder of 2010.
Yesterday, Brother Alfred Hassett, Ms Winifred O’Hanrahan and Ms Anne Geraghty representing the National Board of the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland met with Minister Mary Harney and Minister John Moloney and with officials of the Department and the HSE.
The principal item on the Brothers of Charity agenda was the additional cutbacks indicated to the Brothers of Charity Services Galway on Friday last by the HSE. At the meeting Br Alfred stressed, 'the effectiveness and efficiency of the local vibrant services provided by the Brothers of Charity - that were closely connected to the families and to local communities.
“Such a service, reasonably resourced would deliver the best personal outcomes and the best value for money for individual citizens and their families'. To achieve this requires dynamic local leadership. The Brothers of Charity Services are therefore very surprised that the value of this leadership and the vital contribution it makes was questioned today, bearing in mind that the HSE are fully aware of and have approved all staffing levels.
Ms Winifred O’Hanrahan pointed out at the meeting that, people with disabilities, their families and the service providers supporting them are fully aware of the current economic crisis and they are ready to accept their share of the burden of the situation so long as it is fair and equitable. Unfortunately the way in which the cutbacks have been implemented in many areas is neither fair nor equitable insofar as people with intellectual disability and their families are concerned.
