Longford based support service in talks on cashflow challenges

Longford based support organisation, St Christopher's Services, are in negotiations with the HSE to stabalise their funding model.

The Longford service provides high quality, community-based service people with intellectual difficulties.

The HSE and board of management have commenced a process aimed at addressing the funding challenges at the service.

The Longford organisation is one of a number of Section 39 services nationwide facing “a very challenging funding model”.

Workers in community and voluntary sector organisations, funded by the Health Service Executive and other State agencies have been experiencing difficulties in making ends meet, with unions threatening strike action at the end of last year.

Longford Fianna Fáil TD, Deputy Joe Flaherty, said that talks are ongoing and assures parents of service users of his commitment to working to address the issue: "Over the past week, I have been in discussion with the management and Board of St Christopher’s as well as HSE and Minister Anne Rabbitte's Department of Equality regarding the cash flow situation at St Christopher’s Services."

Deputy Flaherty says he has received pledges on the issue: "I have been assured by the HSE of its continued support for St Christopher’s to ensure the organisation will be supported to a sustainable position where it's not reliant on cash acceleration from the HSE."

The elected representative was contacted by staff members, concerned about their wages salaries: "On Monday the HSE transferred significant funds to the organisation. This will ensure payment of wages and salaries.

"It is critical we assure staff and the parents of service users of our continued support for the service," Deputy Flaherty said.

The HSE met with the Board of St Christopher’s last Thursday evening and a sequence of actions was agreed to return the service to a sustainable position.

Deputy Flaherty concluded: "I will continue to work with the St Christopher’s, board of management, HSE, staff and union reps. I want to again reassure staff and parents of my continued support for St Christopher's Services."