Care group’s arrears €596,000

REHABCARE – the health and social care services subsidiary of broader disability services provider, the Rehab Group – recorded an operating deficit of €20,000 in 2009, according to latest accounts filed with the Companies Office.

Last year’s fresh deficit brought the body’s overall arrears to €596,000, as an operating deficit of €576,000 was measured as its balance at the beginning of 2009.

Actual income fell from €47,990 to €46,961 last year. The organisation provides a range of health and social care services to people with disabilities, the elderly and those from marginalised groups in society. It has 26 resource centres and provides home support, residential supported accommodation and outreach and respite care as additional services.

In its accounts, RehabCare’s management pointed to funding difficulties.

Just over a year ago, the company was forced into axing allowances to sheltered workshop trainees due to a lack of Government funding to the organisation.

Management is claiming such funding difficulties are making its operational effort ever more challenging and has warned of an underwhelming performance for the current year if this trend persists.

“Management is working to improve and streamline structures for risk management and RehabCare is committed to a culture of continuous improvement,” it said in the directors’ report section of its latest set of accounts.

“Last year saw cuts in funding from the Health Service Executive and 2010 will provide further challenges,” it added.