One of the most established addiction treatment centres in the country has warned its future is in doubt because of changes to welfare payments.
Tabor Lodge, a charity based in Ballindeasig, Cork, reported a €163,000 loss for 2012 and blamed its fortunes on a decision by the Department of Social Protection to restrict support for treatment. The company said a €1,500 exceptional needs payment had previously been available to people seeking help for alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions.
However, it said this had been curtailed since the department took control of the community welfare system in Oct 2011.
The charity’s board has sought meetings with the HSE at national level but have been told it is a local issue.
Tabor Lodge’s general manager, Ailleen O’Neill, said the situation had not changed recently and the service fears that this is preventing some people from contacting it.
Since the accounts were filed, the company separately noted that it had repaid a longstanding €600,000 debt that was due to its founders, the Sisters of Mercy.
This had built up since 2001 and related to set up costs for its Eagle Valley facility and unpaid rent in Ballindeasig. Ms O’Neill said the loan had to be repaid because it was conditional on developing the Ballindeasig site.
Source: Irish Examiner, 21/10/13
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