The Clare Local Development Company has effectively closed the door on its taking over a vital traveller support scheme in the county.
The Primary Health Care Project has been suspended, after efforts to secure a new host to replace Ennis Community Development Project were unsuccessful.
Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports:
The Primary Health Care Project, which has been working to improve health and life expectancy for travellers in the county, is currently suspended after the closure of Ennis Community Development Project.
The group had been hosting the HSE-funded traveller support scheme, and employed 7 part-time community health workers, 1 part-time administrator and one fill time coordinator.
They’re now no longer in employment, but chairman Dermot Hayes says they were left with no other option.
The Clare Local Development Company has expressed deep disappointment that it was unable to take over responsibility for the project.
The CLDC was on the verge of signing an agreement when it was forced to pull out following legal advice, as a union agreement prevented the changover from going ahead.
CEO Doreen Graham hoped this would have ended differently.
The HSE has given it’s full backing to Primary Health Care Project, and some still hope that the suspended programme could be reinstated.
Treasurer of the Ennis Commnuity Development Project, Jim Whitney believes the future looks bleak for the scheme.
