Parents and relatives of residents of St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort are seriously concerned for the future of the facility.
This follows recent news that the current service provider, St John of God Community Services, may have to sell off their assets and properties to meet their debts.
St Mary of the Angels is home to 64 people who are severely and profoundly physically and intellectually disabled.
The state-of-the-art facility in Beaufort was established by the Franciscan Sisters in 1968.
They ran the service until 2005 when responsibility for management was handed over to St. John of God Community Services.
It’s believed that the title of the property was also transferred from the Franciscan Sisters to St John of God.
However, St John of God recently warned the Government that it may have to sell off assets and properties to meet its debts of more than €32 million.
St Mary of the Angels Parents and Relatives Association say these developments are causing huge distress to the residents and their parents, many of whom are ageing and vulnerable.
It has written a letter to all local TDs saying the facility should not be treated as an asset of any service provider, to be sold off to clear debts.
The association called on local politicians to use their voices to protect the facility.
An inspection report from the health watchdog, HIQA, late last year also noted that concerns were made in relation to the registered providers communications regarding the possibility of handing the services to the HSE.
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