No support for new Down Syndrome Centre due to 'budgetary constraints'

Ministerial replies to a call by Cavan County Council for the HSE to get behind a new Down Syndrome centre in the region have been described as “overwhelmingly disappointing”, writes Thomas Lyons. 
Last January, following a motion by Cllr Sarah O'Reilly, the local authority elected representatives unanimously supported the Bailieborough Fianna Fáil councillor's call for the HSE to get behind the centre.
At the April meeting of the authority the replies from the Ministers were submitted to the record. In his reply the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said it was confirmed the Down Syndrome Centre North East Committee applied for funding for their service from the HSE.
Minister Harris said: “This application shall be considered by the HSE in consideration of the service need and available budget. It is also my understanding that a meeting has recently taken place between the Chair of the Down Syndrome Centre North East Committee and the local HSE disability manager.”
A reply from the private secretary of Minister for Disabilities, Finnian McGrath, repeated the points made by the Health Minister.
Responding to the letters Cllr O'Reilly said that the chairman of the Down Syndrome Centre North East Committee confirmed the HSE had refused to give assistance due to “budgetary constraints”.
Speaking at the meeting Cllr O'Reilly said that she was “overwhelmingly disappointed” the Ministers had not given support to such a worthy service: “It is a service that is much needed in the region. The Down Syndrome Centre North East Committee can run a service far more cost effectively than the HSE and it is unthinkable that it's not being supported.”
In light of the HSE decision the chamber were unanimous in their support for Cllr O'Reilly's call to correspond with the Ministers again to seek clarity on the matter.