Daycare centre to benefit from €190,000 boost

Uncertainty surrounding the future of dementia-specific daycare facilities in a Clarecastle health facility was removed this week following confirmation of additional HSE funding worth in the region of €190,000 over the next five years.

An extra €35,000 is to be provided to Clarecastle Day Centre in 2013 for dementia services. This funding will be guaranteed until 2017, after which it will become part of the core funding payment to the centre.

Core revenue funding for the centre this year will amount to just over €364,000, a slight 2.6% reduction on 2012. In light of this reduction, a €15,000 once-off payment will be allocated to deal with some current pressures.

The funding was confirmed by Mid-West primary, continuing and community care manager, Bernard Gloster to The Clare Champion following a Mid-West HSE briefing on Monday.

Mary Morrissey of Clarecastle and District Daycare Centre has consistently argued that more funding should be provided to fund the running of the dementia unit and welcomed the extra funding announcement.
The Clarecastle and District Daycare Centre, which opened in 1999, provides a wide range of services to people within a ten mile radius.

Over recent months, Clare Deputy Joe Carey has been working with the board of Clarecastle District Daycare Centre, community leaders, the HSE and others to create funding for a model of dementia-specific daycare associated with the needs of the elderly.

“This day has been long coming but I am delighted that finally we have funding certainty provided by the HSE in relation to Daycare Dementia Services at Clarecastle District Daycare Centre. This was an issue which has existed for quite some time and one that I, as a native of Clarecastle, was keen to help resolve.
“The most important outcome is that the great work ongoing at Clarecastle Daycare Centre can continue,” he said.