Simon faces €2m funding crisis

THE Simon Community in Cork has been thrown into crisis because a lack of proper funding from the Government means it will have to raise at least €2 million from the public next year to maintain services.

Cork Simon Community director Colette Kelleher said the organisation had been advised by Southern Health Board and Cork City Council officials that it won't receive all the funds promised under the Government's Integrated Strategy on Homelessness in 2004.

"We held up our side of the bargain on that strategy. There's no point in blaming the health board, it's the Department of Health," Ms Kelleher said, adding that the health board and city council just administered the funding for Cork Simon Community.