Funding cuts threaten services for intellectually disabled

THE LARGEST provider of services for people with intellectual disabilities has warned it may have to withdraw services because of funding cuts.

St Michael’s House, which provides services to over 1,500 adults and children in Dublin, said yesterday it was considering closing its referral list and withholding services to new clients.

“We are experiencing a crisis. On the one hand our waiting lists are increasing and on the other our funding is decreasing.

“Essentially, we are in the position of not being able to provide services to parents of newly-born babies with Down Syndrome or other intellectual disabilities,” St Michael’s chairman Maurice Bracken said.

The Disability Federation of Ireland yesterday pointed out that many voluntary organisations providing services for people with disabilities will be affected.

“You can substitute St Michaels House for any group, whether it be physical disability, sensory, neurological, it is the same problem they face,” John Dolan, the disability federation’s chief executive, said yesterday.

Organisations were formally requested to give back 1 per cent of funding which represented about €11 million, Mr Dolan said.

The Health Service Executive yesterday said it has asked all voluntary organisations to achieve efficiencies within their budgets and to find non-frontline savings such as travel expenses, advertising and staff absenteeism.

Minister of State for Health John Moloney yesterday told an Inclusion Ireland conference that people with an intellectual disability should not suffer as a result of HSE cuts.

He said the Government must act as an advocate for the rights of people with an intellectual disability.