The order of nuns running Cregg House, a Sligo-based facility for
more than 200 people with intellectual disabilities, has deferred plans
to withdraw from the service today, saying the HSE had made “no
constructive effort” to find a replacement service-provider.
The
future for the service users, many with serious intellectual
disabilities, is unclear as the Daughters of Wisdom order has informed
the HSE that the new deadline will be “no later than January 31st next”.
Order
provincial Sr Jean Quinn (pictured here), who last April issued a statement saying the
order could no longer stand over the service because of a €1.3 million
funding shortfall this year, has called for a “paradigm shift” in how
disability services are provided.
Unions and the HSE have
criticised the order, with the HSE saying it gave just three months
notice last July of its intention to withdraw, a timeframe which was
unacceptable and “inadequate for the complex transition required for
this essential service”.
The Daughters of Wisdom described this
claim as “disingenuous”, saying it had issued formal notice in July but
had started discussions with the HSE on the “gross under-funding” of the
service a year ago.
In a joint statement before an emergency
meeting with management last Friday, the INMO and Impact said the order
had not told staff of any plan which would ensure a safe and seamless
transition of care from today.