The majority of disability day services are resuming this month with several having started back this week following the disruption caused by Covid-19.

Over 430 adults with a disability will benefit from the day services provided by a number of organisations in communities across the city and county.

The resumption of these day services is very important and will benefit adults with disabilities across Galway. Covid-19 has had an unprecedented impact on services, including health and education, given the public health requirements needed to help stop the virus.

This week the Brothers of Charity has resumed day services in a number of communities including Ballybane, An Cheathru Rua, Clarinbridge, Oranmore and An Spidéal. Rehabcare will resume services in Clifden and the city from next week while Ability West will recommence its day services at locations across Galway in the last week of this month.

These organisations, and others, provide a crucial and essential service to adults with disabilities and their families. The frontline teams have been working hard to ensure services reopen safely and in line with public health guidance.  

It’s important to recognise the work of the New Directions team at the Department of Health, and the successive ministers, including Minister of State Anne Rabbitte, who produced the framework on the resumption of disability services to help service providers and service users.

Over €500 million is provided each year for day services. However, the extra challenges caused by Covid-19, in addition to the 1,200 new school leavers nationally, who will need day services from the autumn, mean additional funding is needed for service providers in Galway.

Preparations for Budget 2021 are already underway and present an opportunity to provide additional resources so that disability services providers can continue to provide high quality services for adults with a disability in Galway.

The framework for the resumption of adult disability day services is available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/framework-for-resumption-of-adult-disability-day-services.pdf

The timeline for the resumption of services in Galway is available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/disability/newdirections/cho-2-service-provider-resumption-of-adult-day-services.pdf