Saint John Of God services face ‘funding crisis’

Saint John of God Community Services (SJOGCS) has indicated that it’s facing an “escalating funding crisis”.

It has informed staff and those supported by the service “that unless the HSE responds appropriately by 20 March, that the Board may have no option but to serve 12 months’ notice of termination of service”.

The Service supports some 8,000 children, adolescents and adults with intellectual disability and mental health issues in Ireland.

“We will continue to seek what must be a sustainable solution in order to continue providing vital services to those who rely on it,” said Ms Clare Dempsey, Chief Executive of Saint John of God Community Services.

“In the event of the termination of the Service Arrangement next year, we are committed to the orderly transfer of service responsibility to the HSE in order to minimise the level of disruption to the children and adults supported by the services, their families and staff.”

The service said it requires an additional €27m to maintain services in 2020 and a separate plan is needed to reduce an accumulated deficit of €33.4m.

SJOGCS provides residential, day and respite services  to children and adults with intellectual disability in counties Dublin, Kildare, Kerry, Louth, Meath and Monaghan. It also provides community mental health services to children, adolescent and adults with mental illness in Dublin and Wicklow.