Impact of Budgetary Cuts on NFVB Member Organizations

1. Brian O’Donnell,Chief Executive

2. Monetary value of what the 3.7% cut equated to for NFVB member organisations • Overall Total €33,099,674 • Dublin North East €5,368,941 • Dublin Mid Leinster €12,391,904 • West €8,550,294 • South €4,262,692 • South East €2,525,843

3. In addition to the 3.7% cut, there were other budgetary pressures which member organisations had to absorb in 2012 e.g. PRSI, VAT, Increments etc – Monetary value of same for organisations • Overall Total €11,273,693 • Dublin North East €1,440,065 • Dublin Mid Leinster €3,880,021 • West €3,876,948 • South €1,390,000 • South East €686,659

4. Examples of reduction in services that were carried out by member organisation in 2012 as a result of 3.7% cut and other budgetary pressures: • Non replacement of staff; • Elimination of use of agency staff; • Reduction in respite; • Reduction in Transport; • Reduction in staff travel and subsistence; • Reductions in day service hours; • Holidays facilitated on a cost neutral basis; • Reduction of social programmes; • Reduction in family support hours; • Reduction in weekend support; • Closure of residential group homes for occasional weekends on a planned basis; • Reduction in therapeutic interventions; • Closure of some community homes and relocation of clients to other houses in some cases congregated settings; • Close 5 day pre-school for children with significant disabilities; • Suppression of posts becoming vacant; • Reduction in home visits.

5. Number of School Leavers accommodated in 2012 • Overall Total 345 • Dublin North East 67 • Dublin Mid Leinster 77 • West 92 • South 63 • South East 46

6. Number of RTs accommodated in 2012 • Overall Total 224 • Dublin North East 40 • Dublin Mid Leinster 65 • West 47 • South 45 • South East 27

7. Measures organisations undertook to accommodate school leavers / RT exits this year • School leavers and people existing RT were accommodated in already existing day/local services by further streamlining timetables, activities and staffing wherever possible; • Reconfiguration of existing resources, including redeployment of staff; • Conversion of RT places to day service places; • Significant increases in numbers in RT classes; • Successfully applied for Genio funding; • Ratio of staff to service users has increased; • Some clients offered half places.

8. Efficiency measures which organisations implemented as a result of the cuts in funding over the past four years • Elimination of use of agency staff except in emergencies; • Non filling of vacant posts; • Non replacement of staff on maternity or long /short term illness; • Renegotiation of pricing of all non pay items including rental agreements and leases, insurances, maintenance contracts etc, using public procurement processes where applicable; • Reduction in transport services; • Essential maintenance work only being carried out; • Ensure all eligible clients have their medical cards and are availing of full benefits; • Increased use of volunteers to support people; • Reductions in weekend supports; • Elimination of all non funded additional services to people; • Reduction in administration costs;

9. Efficiency measures which organisations implemented as a result of the cuts in funding over the past four years • Increased flexibility and changes in work practices and rostering agreed under Public Service Agreement (Croke Park). Significant limiting exposure to premium attracting intervals; • Increased use of rural transport initiatives; • Requests for voluntary contributions from families; • Redeployment of staff across programmes and regions; • Significant absenteeism control programmes; • Redeployment and reassignment of staff to areas of greatest need (increased flexibility); • Reduction in number of premises rented; • Introduction of “lean management” techniques across organisations; • Reduction in travel expenses via car pooling and teleconferencing; • Cessation of external staff training initiatives; • Reduced waking night and sleepover cover; • Reduction in professional fees e.g. legal, accounting.

10. Measures organisations are considering in respect of addressing funding cuts in Budget 2013 (for the purpose of this question, organisations assumed a cut similar to this year of 3.7%) • Full review of transport function; • Full review of catering function; • Additional charges for services; • Non-replacement of staff retiring / resigning in 2012; • Further reductions in frontline residential, day, respite and clinical services; • Voluntary redundancies; • Cessation of external training; • Radical change in service delivery models e.g. alternative family based and led models; • Moving 15-20% of those currently in community group homes into home sharing arrangements; • Others moving back to congregated living arrangements; • Outsourcing of back office support services e.g. HR, Finance, Housekeeping, Canteen, facilities, stores etc;

11. Measures organisations are considering in respect of addressing funding cuts in Budget 2013 (for the purpose of this question, organisations assumed a cut similar to this year of 3.7%) • Full review of rostering arrangements; • No capacity to respond to new emergencies; • Minimise payment of premium pay; • Substantial reduction in travel and subsistence; • Increase fundraising and income generation initiatives; • Inviting staff to voluntarily work less hours; • Review of individuals with dual diagnosis requiring high support levels with a view to discharging them to mental health services. • Restructured residential rosters; • Elimination of service user payments.

12. Consequences: • Re-institutionalisation • Significant reduction in quality of service • Significant reduction in leisure programmes • More family involvement • Unravelling of much of the good work done over the past 20 years

13. What are we doing about it? • Cross Disability Support for our Campaign • Meetings with Parents & Families • Meeting with ICTU • Meeting Ministers James Reilly and Kathleen Lynch and Disability Spokespersons of all the political parties • Development of Key Messages

14. National Federation of Voluntary Bodies - 5 Key Messages • Disability organisations have experienced substantial budget cuts over the past 4 years. These cuts amount to close to a 15% reduction in funding. Service providers have made every effort to effect these savings, while at the same time protecting essential services. • The recently published Value for Money Report on the disability sector does not describe the current situation as it is based on 2009 figures. Significant cuts were made in 2010, 2011 and 2012. • Service providers continue to do everything possible to minimise costs and maximise efficiencies. However, sufficient scope for savings from efficiencies that would not impact on services no longer exists.

15. National Federation of Voluntary Bodies - 5 Key Messages 4. As well as coping with a 3.7% cut in 2012, providers also responded to school leavers without the necessary funding which would normally be provided. This equates to an additional €10 million in service provision. 5. Another cut in the 2013 Budget would be A Cut Too Far. This year has already seen services affected. Any further cuts in Budget 2013 would result in a reduction to essential services, for example respite, residential supports, day services, early intervention and transport.  

16. Aim of Pre Budget Campaign Strategy • Mobilise a whole of Federation approach i.e. Each of our Member Organisations have been given the key messages to convey to all TDs in their functional areas.