Care home in appeal after €1m shortfall

One of the country’s most dynamic care facilities for the elderly faces a funding shortfall of €1m a year, in part due to the Government’s Fair Deal scheme for those in nursing homes.

St Luke’s Home in Blackrock, Cork City, is now looking to businesses to help it make up the difference in the cost of care for its residents and daycare clients. It is to host its 20th corporate lunch next month to help raise funds.

“Fair Deal is a good system because it is means tested, but a lot of state funding is being squeezed at the moment, and we are one of those affected,” said David O’Brien, chief executive of St Luke’s.

Speaking yesterday at a gathering hosted by Mr Ted Crosbie at the offices of the Irish Examiner, Mr O’Brien acknowledged the contribution that local businesses and individuals have made to St Luke’s.

What tends to be as much a launch as a lunch has so far raised hundreds of thousands of euro for St Luke’s, which is located on the southside of Cork City.

“Traditionally, our lunch is very well attended with loyal Cork support returning every year to contribute to this significant fundraiser for the home,” he said.

“Since it started back in 1993 our lunch has raised a total of approximately €300,000, all of which has helped to maintain the excellent services and care available at St Luke’s.”

Under the Fair Deal scheme, people in nursing homes make a contribution towards the cost of care, with the State paying the balance.

While funding from Fair Deal covers basic care, it does not meet the costs of the wide-ranging holistic services offered by the better care homes like St Luke’s.

The facility, which has been in operation since 1872, caters for 120 residents along with 100 daycare clients.

A building programme which has recently been completed has improved services at St Luke’s, which houses a dedicated Alzheimer’s and dementia care unit.

Yesterday’s gathering was attended by Lorraine Kingston, deputising for Cork Lord Mayor Catherine Clancy, along with business leaders and local dignitaries. They included Joan Jeffery, St Luke’s deputy administrator, and Tim O’Sullivan, chairman of the corporate funding committee.