Staff at Donegal’s Pieta House outreach centre are to have their full pay restored on July 1st.
More significantly, all staff will be retained and additional staff will be deployed.
Local supporters of the service were concerned about a reduction in numbers at the organisation.
However, Sinead Price, Director of Fundraising & Marketing with Pieta House told local volunteers that they are in a much better financial position going forward.
She said “You and the community have helped us when we needed you most, your support has been is so much appreciated and has meant that we can be there for our clients, especially at this time.
“These funds raised through Sunrise, together with the Government wage subsidy scheme, increased support from the HSE and a 30% pay cut to staff from April to June of this year means that Pieta is in a much improved financial position.”
Over the past three weeks since the success of the fundraising appeal, and additional support from the HSE, Pieta House have been carrying out a review of the organisation to ensure they maximise wherever they can, their ability to deliver free therapy hours for clients across all of our communities.
Ms Price added “Our clients are at the heart of everything we do, I am delighted to let you know that as a result of this review we can confirm that:
· Clients will continue to receive free, face to face counselling in all 15 Pieta centres as well as in our 4 outreach centres nationwide.
· There will be no closures or downgrading of any centres.
· Additionally we will be hiring more than 14 new full-time therapists to support at centre level and on our 24/7 Crisis Helpline.
· The 10 full time equivalent Centre Manager roles and 33 Clinical Support roles that were identified at risk of redundancy in April 2020 will now be redeployed
· From July 1st Pay for all staff will be restored to pre-Covid levels
She said she hoped this information re-assures the wider committee and supporters that Pieta is here to do the very best for people in Donegal.
She added “The changes we are making to our organisation mean we will continue to deliver for our clients the same level of service with less annual funding than we have had in previous years.
“Our new structure is built on ensuring the best outcomes for clients and for as many clients as we can, whilst ensuring the long-term stability of Pieta.
“We could never have imagined the crisis that we have all endured, and it is a privilege to be able to continue to serve the people who come to Pieta for help – thank you for helping to make this possible, now and into the future.”
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