Anger mounting at disability cuts

FEARS FOR LISTOWEL RESPITE CENTRE AFTER FUNDING CUT

PARENTS across Kerry have vowed to take to the streets following further cuts to the disability funding in the county, just days after a general election was called.

On Friday, Kerry Parents and Friends received a letter from the HSE outlining a 0.7% efficiency budget cut-back leaving the Kerry-based organisation with a €60,000 shortfall.

“We are operating on a tight budget providing essential services and have no where to go to make efficiencies. The only thing to do is to cut services. We may have to cut the services of people who already don’t have enough support,” warned CEO Marie Linehan this week.

She further warned that this funding short-fall will have to come from the respite budget which is already under severe pressure due to the demand on this vital service from families across the entire county.

“We can’t close full-time residential centres or day services so respite we are restricted in where we can make the savings,” warned Ms Linehan.

Kerry Parents and Friends a range of daycare and high residential care units across the county and are already struggling to meet the demand.

The news this week has put them under further financial pressure.

“We are so angry. They [the Government] are affecting people who do not have a voice. They don’t realise how this will affect us on the ground.”

The funding cut-back could mean affect the respite service leaving families already struggling without support.

Parent Kay Sayers whose 36-year old son, Sean, uses the Cois na Feile in Kilmorna which may be affected by the respite budget cut-backs said parents have had enough of cut-backs and will not take any more. She was instrumental in battling for the respite to be open and is very angry that it could now face a funding cut-back.

“We battled and battled for this. There is waiting list for these beds. Our services are on their knees and it is unimaginable what will happen with further cut-backs,” she said.

“Respite is critical for families and we can’t continue without it. We will take to the streets if we have to.”

Both Kay and Ms Linehan have warned candidates that the disability sector is in crisis and must be addressed by the next Government.

Photo By Domnick Walsh Sean Sayers from Listowel pictured with his Mum Kay.