12/09/2008

Drugs And Homeless Group Fears HSE Funding Cuts

An Irish support group helping drug addicts and the homeless has said further government cuts to its upcoming funding would be disastrous.

Merchant's Quay Ireland has said that its funding from the HSE dropped by 1% this year, while its running costs rose by 5%. The group is concerned that the up-coming budget could spell further cuts.

Spokesperson Dermot Kavanagh has said any more cuts to funding would undo a lot of hard work.

"We feel that we have spent the last 10 years or more dealing with the problems created in the 1980s and now it looks like we are starting down on the path of cutting these services again for short-term financial gain," he said.

The charity has launching its annual report on Friday, showing that as its budget is declining the numbers of people seeking help from the organisation has increased by more than a third.

(DW/JM)

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