Deputy Pearse Doherty has expressed deep concern at reports that the Irish Wheelchair Association is planning to cut its outreach services to people with physical and sensory disabilities currently provided at the Dobhar Centre in West Donegal.
Deputy Doherty was reacting to news that the association is planning to cut its present two service days at the centre down to just one day per week from September 21st, with funding set to be reallocate to provide an additional service day in the Letterkenny area.
It’s been claimed that a lengthy waiting list for those wishing to access services in Letterkenny has given rise to the plans.
Deputy Doherty said “I have been contacted this week by constituents who have expressed sadness and anger at what they’ve reported are plans by the Irish Wheelchair Association to reduce the number of service days it provides to people with physical and sensory disabilities under the age of 65 in West Donegal based currently at the Dobhar Centre.
“At present, the service operates on a Tuesday and a Thursday however, I’ve been informed that if these plans go ahead then the number of service days will drop to just one day per week with the Thursday service no longer being offered to service users in the region from the end of September.
“It’s been suggested that the reason for this decision is due to the fact that no new referrals to the service in Dobhar have been made, which is said to be in sharp contrast to service demand in Letterkenny where I’ve been led to believe that the waiting list is quite lengthy and where presently the association is not able to meet this demand based on existing resources.
“What this boils down to, if these reports are true, is the IWA essentially being forced to pit some service users against others simply because the association is not receiving the resources it needs from Government to meet service demand.
“If additional monies are required to provide additional day services in Letterkenny then the Government and the HSE should step up to the plate and make that money available; it shouldn’t come at the expense of wheelchair users in the West of the county.
“Irrespective of the numbers using the service in Dobhar, even should it be the case that only one person is using it then why should their needs be viewed as any less worthy of being met and catered for than those living in other parts of the county?
“Obviously, this is deeply concerning and, should these plans go ahead, then this will come as a major inconvenience to service users and their families who have and continue to avail of day services here in Dobhar.
“After having received their concerns, I have today written to the Irish Wheelchair Association looking for clarity in respect of these plans, and as well as an explanation for this decision, I have also sought details of what measures will be in place for existing and future service users in the west going forward.
“As a recipient of HSE funding, I will also be raising this issue with the Minister once the Dáil resumes as I believe that he now needs to be aware of this matter and outline what action he plans to take to ensure that service users can continue to have access to vital resources and outreach services in the county.”