The chief executive of a major Dublin centre for people with intellectual disabilities has warned that it is in danger of collapse because of a lack of funding, writes Alison Healy
St Vincent's Centre, on the Navan Road, which is run by the Daughters of Charity, has 530 full-time residents, and also provides education services and respite care.
Its chief executive, Mr Walter Freyne, said he was facing a shortfall of €2.5 million this year because a 2.66 per cent budget increase for non-payroll costs failed to keep pace with inflation.
"This centre is in grave danger of collapsing around my ears in the next year or two.
"I can't put it any stronger than that. This is an extremely serious situation," he told The Irish Times.
The centre is in the Taoiseach's constituency, and Mr Freyne has appealed to him and to the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) for more funding.
Parents and relatives have been protesting outside the centre, and are considering taking their action further.
In order to stand still, St Vincent's Centre would need an extra €2.5 million this year, Mr Freyne said.
Earlier this month, he met parents to tell them of planned budget cuts, starting in June.
The respite care service will be worst hit, with a 40 per cent reduction in bed nights.
This service takes temporary care of people with disabilities to allow their carers to have a break.
Yesterday, Ms Catherine Harte said the proposed cuts were "very worrying" for her family.
Her son David (14) needs 24-hour care. He has a rare metabolic disorder and intellectual disabilities. His body's inability to break down fats means that he has to be fed with a tube every three hours.
The Harte family has availed of weekend respite care about four days a month. This gives the parents time to concentrate on their 17-year-old daughter and to catch up on basic tasks.
A spokeswoman for the ERHA said its 2003 funding to the Daughters of Charity services in the eastern region would enable them "to provide residential care this year at the same level as that approved last year".