COPE Foundation, which caters for 2,150 adults and children with intellectual disabilities, says it cannot ‘guarantee its current levels of service and supports’ if hit with further budget cuts.
A series of meetings are currently taking place around the city and county outlining the serious difficulties COPE predicts next year when they’ll have increased numbers and decreased funds.
And while they are confident they won’t have to close COPE centres, things like transport, weekend respite, medical charges and their ability to deal with school-leavers transferring to adult services could be threatened.
Longer waiting lists for residential care are also predicted.  There are already 80 people waiting for residential care in the city.
Chief Executive Colette Kelleher is outlining the stark situation to parents and guardians of the intellectually disabled at the meetings.