HSE says it is ‘shocked’ over transfer of St John of God Community Services for 8,000 people

A funding crisis has forced services for 8,000 people with an intellectual disability and mental health issues, run by the St John of God Community Services, to transfer to the HSE in what has been described as the “saddest” day for the organisation.

It said the “decision follows the failure to conclude a funding agreement with the HSE aimed at securing the future financial sustainability of the organisation”.

It has been in service since the 1930s.

The organisation said that a formal letter confirming today’s decision has been conveyed to the HSE by the Board of St John of God’s and it is intended that the transition process will be completed by August 15 next.

Members of management have been speaking with staff members and families of service users at its various locations around the country today informing them of the decision.

In response, the HSE tonight said it is “shocked and disappointed” at the announcement.

“We have worked with them over the last number of years on funding-related matters. SJOGCS’s services have had an in-year break even each year for several years, with the help of substantial HSE support, and there is no reason to believe that 2024 will be any different,” a spokesperson said.

“The HSE is open to further meetings with SJOGCS to discuss the resolution of its financial position, remembering that we have to consider all of those in need of the services of the many service providers in the disability sector.

“But to emphasise again it has sufficient funding and assurances to continue to provide its services and to pay bills as they fall due. As a Section 38 Organisation, they are afforded all of the protections associated with that status, and their staff are paid and pension treated as public servants.”

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said: “If despite substantial assistance in a €200 million grant to SJOG annually, they remain insistent on withdrawing from service provision then we will require them to do so in an orderly and appropriate fashion having regard to the rights of service users and their staff.

“I do not accept it is appropriate or responsible for a declaration of handover by August this year. The HSE will consider carefully its options if this eventuality arises. For now, we urge SJOG to remove the anxiety for families and continue their engagement safe in the knowledge they have more than enough money and assurance to avoid such an immediate action.”

Saint John of God Community Services clg operates HSE-funded services to children and adults with intellectual disability, and to children, adolescents and adults with mental health support needs.

It currently operates in three hundred locations in counties Dublin, Kildare, Kerry, Wicklow, Meath, Monaghan and Louth.

The organisation said it has had ongoing engagement on its funding challenges with the HSE since 2020 but in recent months communicated its serious concerns regarding its accumulated deficit and the sustained lack of adequate funding to allow for its continued financial and operational sustainability.

In more recent weeks, the matter was the subject of engagement with the HSE, the Department Children, Equality, Disability and Integration and the Department of Health.

Chief Executive of Saint John of God Community Services, Clare Dempsey, said it was a very sad day for the service

“We are confirming with profound regret and deep disappointment that due to the failure of an extensive engagement process with the HSE, we have initiated the plan to transfer responsibility for service provision to the HSE. This process will see the formal transition of all current services delivered by Saint John of God Community Services to the HSE and the complete cessation of our involvement in these services by 15th August 2024.

“By that date, the HSE must have assumed full responsibility for the Service, and we will use the time between now and then, to manage the handover process.”

It said that “today represents the saddest day in the history of our long-established service, which has been in operation since the 1930’s. I know it is deeply disappointing for those we support, our staff and the many thousands of families around the country with whom we hold such strong ties and bonds with over so many years.

“We will do all in our power to conduct a smooth transfer of service to HSE and will seek to minimise the impact on the eight thousand people availing of our services, as well as our three thousand valued members of staff.

“Efforts will be made to ensure an orderly transfer of services, with a commitment to minimise disruption on those availing of the services. Representatives from St John of God Services will collaborate with personnel nominated by the HSE to prepare and implement a plan to transfer services.”

The statement said that it is expected that staff will transition to the employment of the HSE in accordance with TUPE legislation.

In messages to staff and families today, the Board and the executive management team emphasised that every effort has been made to avoid this difficult decision and acknowledged and thanked them for their support throughout this difficult period.

Saint John of God Hospital in Dublin and Saint Joseph’s Shankill are unaffected by today’s announcement

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