PARENTS of children with intellectual disabilities are being warned by a leading service provider to expect the worst in December’s budget.
St Michael’s House, which has its headquarters in Ballymun but operates from 170 centres throughout Dublin, provides services to 1,663 children and adults with learning disabilities.
The service is so concerned about the budget that it recently called parents to a meeting to explain the implications of further cuts in funding.
St Michael’s is already struggling to provide its services under severe financial strain having been cut by a total of
?¬11.2 million in funding since 2008. A recruitment moratorium has also led to a serious stretching of resources for the service as 160 posts have been lost since 2009.
Antoinette Norris, whose 14-year-old daughter Demi has suspected Cohen’s Syndrome, explained how St Michael’s had helped her family.
“I’m welling up just thinking of how much my daughter has learned and developed since she began attending St Michael’s,
? Antoinette told Northside People.
“She became fully toilet trained in January, which as you can imagine was a massive achievement and milestone for us as a family.
“I couldn’t speak highly enough about the work they do in St Michael’s. In fact, I’m almost in tears now just thinking about how much they’ve helped my daughter and us.
“It would be so wrong on so many different levels to impose any more cuts on this service. The Government minister in charge of this area should spend a few hours in St Michael’s to see just how much they do because they seriously underestimate just how vital and valuable the service is.
?
St Michael’s House, which has been advised that the budget in 2013 would be the most severe to date, also provides residential services to 454 people.
According to a spokesperson, this is the first time it has been forced to warn parents of the implications of cuts to the service.
Patricia Doherty, CEO of St Michael’s House, explained how despite repeated funding cuts, the demand for the service increases each year.
“This year, more than any time in our history, we are under severe pressure due to five years of funding cuts,
? she told Northside People.
“In total since 2009, our funding has been cut by
?¬11.2 million and our staff numbers have decreased by 160, but yet in that period demand for our services continued to grow and we now care for 160 more people in day services and 45 more in residential services than we did in 2008.
“At this point we also continue to accept all new children referred to our service. We are deeply concerned at the prospect of a further funding cut in the budget for 2013.
“The organisation has already implemented any efficiencies possible through the effective implementation of the Croke Park Agreement and thanks to the dedication and commitment of our staff have managed to maintain existing services and open new ones.
“Further cuts in 2013 will directly impact on services with devastating implications for families.
?
St Michael’s House is urging the Government to consider the impact of cuts in 2013 and in that vein parents are preparing to launch a pre-budget campaign to defend its services.
Dublin North TD Clare Daly (ULA) has pledged support for any campaign against further cuts to St Michael’s.
“It is vital that people take a united stand in opposition to any more attacks on these services,
? she stated.
“This Government and its predecessor have continually placed a burden on the most vulnerable sections of our communities in a desperate attempt to pay off gambling debts.
“Any further attacks should be met with vigorous opposition.
“People power will have to be utilised to shame this Government into placing the economic burden onto the shoulders of those who created this crisis.
?