Longford politicians need to walk the walk when it comes to St Christopher’s Services

CEO of St Christopher’s Services, Derek Scanlon, announced recently that he was stepping down from his role.

The Ardagh native has been CEO of the iconic Longford organisation since 2017.

St Christopher’s has been in the eye of the storm recently, with workers at the facility having threatened to go on strike in recent months, over the non-payment of increments due to them.

This strike action appears to have been averted, for now at least, with an offer from St Christopher’s being put to a ballot of union members very shortly.

Mr Scanlon spoke to the Leader about his reasons for leaving the role now. He also reflected on his seven years at the helm of what is both a major care provider and employer in Co Longford (with over 300 staff, including part-time).

Also read: Derek Scanlon steps down as CEO of Longford disability service provider St Christopher’s Services

Scanlon became CEO in 2017. It was a very different time, pre-pandemic, and the economic challenges posed nationally by both Covid 19 and the ongoing war in Ukraine had yet to arise.

St Christopher’s is funded by the HSE and according to Scanlon, it has been an increasingly tough task to get sufficient funding.

“In my seven years as CEO, it has been a tough battle to get the funding required to run the St Christopher’s Service. In the past two years, the HSE budget has become more constrained,” he explained.

“It has been tough, day in, day out,” Scanlon added, explaining why he feels that it is time for him to move on.

PICTURES | Night of style and fond memories as dedication of retiring Longford teachers is recognised

The threat of strike action arose from these budget constraints. “We were informed by the HSE that the funds were not available to pay the increments due to staff. As a result, I had no choice but to communicate to the staff that the increments could not be paid at this time,” Scanlon explained.

Under the offer made by St Christopher’s management, the increments will be paid until at least the end of April 2025.

“I don’t wish to pre-empt the outcome of the ballot but the offer we have made will restore the increments,” he stated.
98% of staff at the facility voted at the end of April for strike action.

However, following talks at the WRC (Workplace Relations Commission) strike action was averted following an offer by St Christopher’s management being put on the table.

While Scanlon says that funding was always a tough battle, progress was made in terms of infrastructure and other projects during his tenure.

PICTURES | Pride, colour and samba beats at Longford's inaugural Pride Parade

“We have received consistent capital funding in recent years. In St Christopher’s, we have always strived to come up with some of the funding ourselves for projects, with the remainder coming from the HSE,” he explained.

“We were successful in coming up with funding ourselves,” he added.

In January 2022, €700,000 in capital funding was promised for St Christopher’s, which has been delivered, according to Scanlon.

“That was the most significant stand alone investment in recent years. Overall, we probably did as well as we could in relation to funding for projects,” he explained.

At the May monthly meeting of Longford County Council, a number of claims were made by councillors in relation to the finances of St Christopher’s.

Also read: Wedding bells ring for Amy and Leo in lovely Longford ceremony

Two Fine Gael councillors, Paul Ross and Peggy Nolan, tabled a motion, in which they called for a letter to be written by the council to both the Department of Health and the HSE.

This motion was accepted. Cllr Ross told the meeting that “St. Christopher’s is running a deficit of €4.4 million. This is utterly extraordinary. The centre has to run correctly.”

Scanlon refuted the councillor’s claims. “That amount may have been an accumulation over a period of a few years. There is a misunderstanding of the deficit. The HSE are dealing with the deficit,” he stated.

PICTURES | Glittering gala dinner as Longford Town FC proudly celebrate centenary

“St Christopher’s has an annual budget of €16 million,” he added.

At the same council meeting, Cllr Seamus Butler stated that, “I have received documents in relation to the finances of the centre and if the contents are accurate, then I would fear for the future of St Christopher’s.”

Scanlon was blunt in his response to these claims. “If Cllr Butler would like to make these documents available. Otherwise, it would be disingenuous of me to speak about documents I have not seen,” he stated.

He added that politicians need to walk the walk on St Christopher’s.

“We need our politicians to get behind these services and help to get appropriate funding. I admire those politicians who have made representations on St Christopher’s,” he commented.

He went on to say that in his view, “both of the Oireachtas members in the county have stepped up to the plate” in this regard.

Also read: 'What a woman' - Fans react as Longford's Maura Higgins set to return to the Villa

Scanlon also addressed Cllr Butler’s claims at the same council meeting that, “There is currently a lack of transparency in St. Christopher’s.”

“I think that the public meetings or public agms are needed again,” he commented.

“Without those public meetings, people can feel that there is a vacuum,” he added.

Scanlon went on to say that such transparency is “very important.”

As Scanlon prepares to leave and “consider some offers” he was made of alternative employment, he emphasised that the future of St Christopher’s is secure.

“This is a very important message to give to users of the facilities and their families. There is no threat to the services. The HSE have consistently underlined that. The services are secure,” he explained.

Reflecting on his period as CEO, Scanlon is proud of some of the work he has overseen.

“I have seen the difference that some of our programmes have made to our service users. That is rewarding. Also, in October 2021, we could give pay rises to staff,” he stated.

PICTURES | Delicious Dessert Mania in Longford celebrates first birthday in business

In recent years, the facility was able to achieve a full complement of nursing staff. “Around 2019 and 2020, we were losing 20% of our workforce. The turnover of staff has decreased to 4.9%. In 2021, we were able to achieve a full complement of nursing staff,” he stated.

Reacting to Scanlon’s departure, the Board of St Christopher’s stated that “Derek’s contribution to St Christopher’s has been enormous. His legacy as a talented and energetic campaigner for St Christopher’s and disabilities in Ireland are to be admired and the new facilities that he has helped develop for day and residential services are considered state of the art and amongst the best in Ireland.”

The competition to fill the CEO role is expected to commence soon.

Also read: Longford priest 'truly overwhelmed by support and generosity' as he celebrates Golden Jubilee of ordination