LMFM By Simon Doyle
SIPTU says action must be taken to avoid the potential collapse of
St. John of God Community Services, including in Co. Louth.
The mental health and disability service provider announced last September it would ceasing the majority of its services, due to a funding crisis.
It also said it would transfer responsibility to the
Health Service Executive (HSE) over a 12-month period for services it provides to 8,000 people in Ireland.
This includes some 400 adults with disabilities at its residential services in St Mary’s, Drumcar as well as some 70 students at St. Mary s Special School.
However, the Irish Times reports that management recently revealed to the Health Minister it could face liquidation after accumulating a legacy deficit of €32.5 million.
Our special and beautiful boy, who brought so much joy. In the words of Fr Seán Dooley the span of life is not measured by the span of its years and although young Seán Sharkey was just 16 when he passed away unexpectedly on January 23rd, he brought boundless and happiness in that short time.
Fr Dooley was speaking at Seán s funeral mass in Tullyallen Church, where he is sadly missed by his heartbroken Dad Peter, Mam Fiona and sister Aoibheann, his nana Eileen Carroll, nana Patricia Sharkey, aunt Aideen Carroll and her partner David Campbell, aunt and uncle Yvonne and Paul Mitchell, aunt and uncle Liz and Darren Kavanagh, uncle and aunt John and Dorte Sharkey, his many beloved cousins, his great aunt Betty Murtagh and Ann Wynne, extended family and his many friends and teachers in St Ita s and St. Mary s Special School, Drumcar, The Marie Goretti Respite Centre - Seán s happy place in Lordship - and Stamullen Cycling Road Club.