DUBLIN’S LARGEST service provider for people with disabilities, has been given additional funding of about €1 million following negotiations with the HSE.
The allocation of extra funding to the Daughters of Charity, will allow it to continue operating respite services for the rest of this year, but the HSE has given no indication if the necessary funds will be available in 2011.
Despite the additional funding, management at the Daughters of Charity anticipate a deficit in this year’s budget, but the extra funds will maintain frontline services used by some 1,100 people cared for by the organisation.
Management of the organisation met the HSE’s local health manager and the regional director of operations last week. The discussions focused on funding issues for 2010 and, in particular, the need to maintain the provision of frontline services.
The organisation said it was forced to scale back some services this year because the HSE cut its funding allocation by about €4 million. However, the additional funding gives the organisation a reprieve until next year’s budgets are allocated.
Denis Cronin, assistant chief executive of the organisation said management is assessing the best way to manage the additional funding and examining the prospect of bringing in temporary staff. He said the organisation must reduce its staff numbers by 56 by the end of this year.
In its statement, the HSE said last week’s negotiations resulted in a resolution that will ensure all services provided by the Daughters of Charity will continue to operate this year.