Fine Gael Disability Spokesman David Stanton TD has criticised the scale of the reduction in services available to people with intellectual disabilities in recent years, after the matter was raised in the Oireachtas Health Committee today (Tuesday).
Continued HSE funding cuts of millions of euros have forced service providers to radically reduce the type and level of services they can offer. The National Frontline Voluntary Bodies, an organisation which represents intellectual disability service providers, claims that cuts of €15.6 million are more than double the reduction agreed by the HSE last year. The HSE claims this reduction is part of a 2% savings requirement on non-frontline services. They have also stated they do not believe these reductions should affect service provision.
“People with intellectual disabilities, their families and carers are truly terrified that the services so vital to people with disabilities will be withdrawn. Unfortunately, it seems that some of their fears are well-founded. The Daughters of Charity Service in Dublin and the Brothers of Charity services in Limerick have both been forced to implement service cutbacks and staff redundancies.
“I am disgusted at the level of service reduction being forced upon people with disabilities. Access to services such as occupational therapy and speech therapy is being curtailed as specialies in recent years, after the matter was raised in the Oireachtas Health Committee today (Tuesday).
Continued HSE funding cuts of millions of euros have forced service providers to radically reduce the type and level of services they can offer. The National Frontline Voluntary Bodies, an organisation which represents intellectual disability service providers, claims that cuts of €15.6 million are more than double the reduction agreed by the HSE last year. The HSE claims this reduction is part of a 2% savings requirement on non-frontline services. They have also stated they do not believe these reductions should affect service provision.
“People with intellectual disabilities, their families and carers are truly terrified that the services so vital to people with disabilities will be withdrawn. Unfortunately, it seems that some of their fears are well-founded. The Daughters of Charity Service in Dublin and the Brothers of Charity services in Limerick have both been forced to implement service cutbacks and staff redundancies.
“I am disgusted at the level of service reduction being forced upon people with disabilities. Access to services such as occupational therapy and speech therapy is being curtailed as specialies in recent years, after the matter was raised in the Oireachtas Health Committee today (Tuesday).
Continued HSE funding cuts of millions of euros have forced service providers to radically reduce the type and level of services they can offer. The National Frontline Voluntary Bodies, an organisation which represents intellectual disability service providers, claims that cuts of €15.6 million are more than double the reduction agreed by the HSE last year. The HSE claims this reduction is part of a 2% savings requirement on non-frontline services. They have also stated they do not believe these reductions should affect service provision.
“People with intellectual disabilities, their families and carers are truly terrified that the services so vital to people with disabilities will be withdrawn. Unfortunately, it seems that some of their fears are well-founded. The Daughters of Charity Service in Dublin and the Brothers of Charity services in Limerick have both been forced to implement service cutbacks and staff redundancies.
“I am disgusted at the level of service reduction being forced upon people with disabilities. Access to services such as occupational therapy and speech therapy is being curtailed as specialist staff are simply not available to provide these services. In some areas it seems that these services will be discontinued altogether.
“Cuts have been so severe in some instances that service providers have been left with no option but to close down day, respite and residential centres. Where are th
