Brothers of Charity Galway face funding shortfall for 13 school leavers

The service provider is struggling to find resources for 13 school-leavers, four of whom have very significant needs.

It’s due to a shortfall in funding of over 300 thousand euro.

The Brothers of Charity estimates that a budget of 419 thousand euro would be required to provide the adequate five-day service for the 13 school-leavers concerned.

However, it’s working with funding of 109 thousand euro, leaving a 310 thousand euro shortfall with particular impact on the four school leavers with the most significant needs.

The Department of Health sanctioned four million euro nationally earlier this year which has been divided over four regions of the HSE.

This was unavailable last year, however some funding was provided from the HSE West to support the Galway-based charity.

Galway Brothers of Charity is also in a deficit situation with some nine million euro taken from its budget over the past five years.

A spokesperson says the charity is now meeting with all the families concerned and adds that there is inadequate resources to provide the required five-day service.

Local campaign group Hope for Disability says the situation is unthinkable for families.