vision statement mission statement - Ability West

Chief Executive’s Review of 2012
Annual General Meeting
The 50th AGM of Ability West was held in May in St. Joseph’s
Special School, Galway City. The AGM was attended by
approximately 140 people. The guest speaker was Kathleen
Lynch, T.D, Minister of State Department of Health with
responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental
Health.
Breda Crehan-Roche, Chief Executive
2012 was a special year which marked the 50th anniversary of the
organisation. There were many celebratory events and activities
held during the year which I will brief on later in my report.
Unfortunately, 2012 was also another challenging year
with a further budgetary cut to our funding of 3.7% being
implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE). This
amounted to a reduction in our core funding of €836,454
in 2012, the overall budget adjustments since 2008
have amounted to 10.5% which represents a total cut of
€2,429,884, excluding a pay cut of €1,022,401 in 2010. I would
like to acknowledge the co-operation and hard work of staff;
their ongoing support and assistance enabled us to continue
providing efficient, effective and person centred services.
Highlights of 2012
New Developments and Emergencies
Ability West responded to 33 people leaving school. As
there were only 14 vacant rehabilitative training places, the
remaining 19 individuals had to be accommodated in adult
day services without any new additional funding being
received from the HSE. We also responded to a number of
emergencies in 2012 within current resources. The fact that
there was no funding to provide services for people leaving
school in 2012 was a first and proved extremely challenging
for Ability West and families.
Capital Projects
During the year the following capital projects were
undertaken and were only possible through funds from
fundraising activities:
• Two wheelchair accessible bedrooms and bathroom in
Grange View Group Home, Dunmore
• Refurbishment of St. Francis Adult Day Service, Kilkerrin,
• Bathroom extension in Macotar Lodge Group Home, Kilkerrin
• Refurbishment of Snipe Resource Centre, Galway City, to
provide a service for people with complex needs
• An extension to provide additional space and leisure facility
in St. Dympna’s Adult Day Service, Portumna. This was
provided with the assistance of the former Portumna Branch.
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Paul Cannon, Snipe Resource Centre, presenting a piece of artwork to
Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, T.D., AGM 2012
Board of Directors’ Elections
The regional representatives nominated to the Board of
Directors were notified to the organisation prior to the AGM
and these were elected as follows:
• Mr. Frank Hannon and Mrs. Mary Lally, North Galway Region
• Mr. Ray Kelly and Mr. Anthony O’Connor, Galway City Region
• Mr. Páraic Lawless and Mrs. Marie O’Dowd, South East
Galway Region
There were no representatives elected from the Connemara
Region as there are currently no active branches in this
region.
Branches and Regions
The Board of Directors met with the South East Galway
Region in March 2012. This was a positive meeting and a
great opportunity for the board members to meet with the
branch and regional members.