Intellectually disabled adults face losing 60 carers in funding crisis

THE jobs of 60 highly trained personnel who care for intellectually disabled adults in Limerick and Clare are under threat.

Bob Sillery, chief executive of the Brothers of Charity service, warned yesterday up to 100 of the 387 adults being cared for at Bawnmore residential centre in Limerick, and local community centres, will have services curtailed or terminated if funding does not come immediately from the HSE.

“We are desperate and in constant contact with the HSE about an impossible situation. If we don’t get word on the €1.5 million funding we are owed in the next few days, we will have to consult with the unions and put a plan into place regarding staff,” he said.

“The local HSE have told me they don’t have any money. They agree they owe us money for 2008. We usually have a letter by this time of year pledging the necessary funding to enable us pay our bills. They tell me now they would love to give us funding but they don’t have any money. We are now in crisis.”

Mr Sillery said they will have to seriously curtail operations at Bawnmore and services in Limerick city, Newcastle West Foynes and Sixmilebridge.

In a letter to families of their Bawnmore patients, he stated: “The Brothers of Charity Services Limerick are particularly affected by these (health) cutbacks. To date I have managed to obtain the necessary funds, albeit at the last minute, to enable our services to survive. I fear, however, that the necessary funding will not become available this year.

“The consequences of not receiving our funding are extremely serious. Up to 60 staff members face losing their jobs and up to 100 men and women (aged between 18 and 70) who use our services will have their placement either curtailed or lost.”

Mr Sillery is prepared to call a public meeting if family members wish him to do so. In a letter to all Oireachtas members in Limerick and Clare, Mr Sillery said: “I must reiterate the urgency of the situation.”

Health Minister Mary Harney in a letter told TDs and senators: “Responsibility for the provision of funding rests with the (Health Service) Executive. A copy of your correspondence has been referred to the chief executive officer of the HSE who will arrange for the matters raised to be investigated and a reply issued directly to you.”