THE head of a campaign to reopen the Brothers of Charity respite house in Clonisle has said that the department of health is “forcing families on to the streets with begging bowls” to fund the permanent return of the service in Limerick.  A meeting was held between members of a family group and key representatives of the Brothers of Charity and it was agreed that the Bawnmore based service would provide a portion of the funds needed to reopen the respite house, if families fundraised for the remainder of the money.

On this basis, the Charity will reopen the service on August 16 after a closure of two months.

“Mr Neilus Hayes, chairperson of the Family Group, will invite all Families associated with the Brothers of Charity Services to participate in a meeting on August 23 to launch this fundraising campaign.

“In light of this commitment, Norma Bagge, CEO, can announce that a respite service will open on the week commencing August 16 2010”, said a statement.

However, the majority of the 63 families who availed of the respite service are opposed to fundraising.

“It’s a disgrace that the Brothers of Charity would come out with this proposition”, Owen South, who heads up a committee to reopen the service, told the Limerick Post.

“They’ve said they will put €50,000 into the bowl if families can fundraise for the remaining €150,000. They are asking people with severe disabilities to hit the byroads of Limerick, cap in hand. Most of the families are abhorred and disgusted that they should have to beg when every where else in Ireland this service is free”.

A meeting is to take place between all 63 families on August 23 to discuss the fundraising proposal.

“The respite service is a human right. It’s a disgrace that the department of health are forcing people out on to the street”.

Health spokesperson for the Labour party Jan O’Sullivan, has been campaigning for the reopening of the service and told this newspaper that she is unhappy with the new proposals for fundraising.

“The HSE said they don’t have any more money but the Brothers of Charity say the Mid West got the hardest hit in funding cuts than any other region. That it was not balanced.

Kieran O’Donnell TD said the sum of €50,000 would cover about three months of respite.

“I welcome the reopening but many of the people affected are elderly, or widows and widowers and don’t have the capacity to look after their disabled children without a rest.

“We need equality in the moratorium throughout regions and a sustainable respite service in Limerick”.