By DAN WALSH in GOREY

St. Aidan’s Services is facing a serious reduction in services and a real threat of closure and is calling on ministers, deputies and public representatives to place meaningful pressure on the HSE to honour a commitment that has left the popular Gorey-based community service out of pocket to the tune of €428,635.83.
“I have had service users and their families in tears as they realise that the situation is serious and if the finanacial crisis is not urgently resolved by the HSE, it will result in services being closed,” Maura Kelly. CEO, St. Aidan’s Services, told WexfordToday.com.
“There is a real threat of closure if this isn’t addressed,” said Ms Kelly, who added; “This crisis that the organisation finds itself is due to the fact that the HSE have not honoured an agreement which was made in 2016.”
The HSE response is contained in the following brief statement. “The HSE/South East Community Healthcare works closely with St. Aidan’s Services and values the outstanding care provided by the organisation (which the HSE supports with funding through Section 39 of the Health Act) in serving the community in North County Wexford. The HSE is aware of the challenges faced by St. Aidan’s and is liasing with the Board of Management in that respect.”
While there had been fearful rumours locally about the future for St. Aidan’s, the full facts were unveiled at the annual general meeting held last Thursday night.

MAURA KELLY, CEO, at St. Aidan’s Services, Gorey.

Chairperson Pat McCarthy said it was “with regret” that he was informing families of service users about the financial crisis. Grave concerns were also expressed by the centre’s auditor.
Core deficit identified and agreed with the HSE in March 2016 amounted to €277,151; ongoing funding received from the HSE was €167,771, which created a core deficit balance outstanding of €109,380.
Core deficit balance remining unpaid for 2016, 2017 and 2018 (€328,140) and funding required due to advice from HIQA due to non-Compliance (details given to the HSE – June to December (€172,278) added a further €100,495.83.
That leaves the total funding owed to December 2018 at €428,635.83.
Ongoing funding to meet the core deeficit is €109,380 and on-going to meet HIQA requirement is €172,278. TOTAL ONGOING FUNDING REQUIRED is €281,658 per annum.
St. Aidan’s provides day, residential, respite, pre-school, elderly services and training services to over 250 individuals based at Millands, Gorey, with an outreach at Camolin.
Meals-on-Wheels are also provided to the local community four days a week and 130 staff are employed throughout the services.
St. Aidan’s has always commanded the respect and admiration of the general public and has never been left wanting when groups and organisations are in a charitable mood, and St. Aidan’s have always been grateful and appreciative in applying the proceeds to services that benefit the community.
AUDIO ADDITION; CEO MAURA KELLY tells DAN WALSH about the financial crisis facing St. Aidan’s Services and makes a heartfelt plea for assistance in solving the problems and restoring normal services for the people of North Wexford.