3,000 march for special needs services

A protest march in support of a disability and special needs service provider in the Midlands was supported by up to 3,000 people yesterday.

The march in Longford was to highlight the lack of funding for services provided by St Christopher’s Services on behalf of the HSE.

The event was instigated by parents and relatives of the users of St Christopher’s centre in Longford town and the residents of two independent living units run by St Christopher’s in Ballymahon and Longford.

Both facilities are under threat of closure because of a funding shortfall of €500,000 from the HSE. The HSE has reduced funding since 2008, said it was could not supply additional money, but added it was working with the directors of St Christopher’s to address their concerns.