Finance the major issue for St Aidan’s Services
IT’S A continued struggle to maintain the level of service provided to the clients of St. Aidan’s Services, its AGM heard recently.
Welcoming all present, Pat McCarthy, chairperson of the Board of Directors, first called for a moment’s silence for those who had lost loves ones in the organisation. The minutes of the AGM from 2015 were then read out.
In his address, Pat said that St. Aidan’s continues to struggle financially to maintain the current level of services. ‘We have a deficit in our funding from the HSE,’ he said. ‘We are extremely grateful and appreciative for the funds raised through fundraising initiatives.’
Maura Kelly, CEO, thanked the staff and management team for their support throughout the year. She gave a brief overview of the services provided. Currently there are five residential homes; one respite house which offers respite to over 180 families; day services located in Camolin, Market Place, and on campus at Millands; a pre-school on campus; day care for the older person; training services at the Business Park in Ramstown; and the canteen provides meals for staff and clients. ‘We also provide over 40 meals, four days per week to the local community,’ she said.
‘We received excellent HIQA reports. We are all very proud of the outcomes in the reports and I would like to commend the staff and family support that made this possible,’ she said. The inspection reports are available to view on the HIQA website.
Auditor Michael Doyle gave a detailed overview of finances for the year. He advised that the audited accounts were available on the night or could be requested from St. Aidan’s. He reiterated that St. Aidan’s was a service provider and not a profit making entity.
The meeting also heard that following intervention from the WRC on pay related issues and industrial action, a proposal from the WRC was accepted by all union members which resulted in industrial peace and St. Aidan’s was very pleased that normal working hours and services resumed.
Pat and Maura thanked the public, families and friends for their continued generosity, help and support.