Cope calls for help
One of Ireland’s largest support service providers says it needs an increase of more than €30 million a year in funding to meet rapidly growing demands.
The Cope Foundation, which supports people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, made the statement following a detailed service review designed to examine the requirements of the foundation up until 2023.
The review, which identifies a number of key areas where significant investment is required, has been presented to the HSE.
The report showed that there are currently 400 children awaiting assessment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the country. Of those who have already been assessed, there are over 1,350 children currently awaiting specialist intervention, some of whom have been waiting years.
According to the report, there are 174 adults who are in need of support who are currently on a residential waiting list, with many having no permanent home.
CEO of Cope Foundation, Sean Abbott, said that, although he is “very grateful” for all of the funding received from the HSE and the general public, additional funding is required to deal with delays that he says are worse than he has ever seen.
“In the 30 years that I’ve worked with Cope Foundation, I’ve never experienced delays this bad. It’s disheartening both for myself, and my colleagues when we have to say no to families who are desperately seeking help,” he said.
“As waiting lists lengthen, we face the very real possibility that children who need support for ASD will age-out of the system and become adults without having received the appropriate intervention and support,” he added.
Over 40 per cent of the adults currently supported by Cope Foundation are over the age of 45, and as that population ages, the organisation says it urgently needs to design and develop a range of individualised services and supports to ensure these people maintain their independence.
Cope Foundation is planning to increase its fundraising activity around specific projects such as technology and facilities.
Mr Abbott said: “The people of Cork have been incredibly generous in their support of Cope Foundation since its inception in 1957. However, there has never been a time when that support has been needed more.
“In the months ahead, we will be undertaking a significant awareness campaign of the challenges facing Cope, and outlining ways that people and businesses can help.”