Support services suspended in Clare for families of people with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
FASD Ireland was established in 2021 and its hub in Ennis, Co Clare, was launched in 2023 by Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte. File picture
A Clare support service for families of people with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder claims it has had to suspend activities as it awaits allocated funding.
FASD Ireland was established in 2021 and its hub in Ennis, Co Clare, was launched in 2023 by Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte. Among its services is a helpline for families of people with FASD.
Last month, during a Dáil debate on disability services, Minister of State Ossian Smyth said that the HSE confirmed that €200,000 was being made available to the HSE’s regional executive officer in the mid-west, “in order for FASD Ireland to support an action in the HSE 2024 service plan to deliver a foetal alcohol project using a multi-care health sector approach, that is, primary care, mental health services and so on.”
However, founder and chief executive of FASD Ireland, Tristan Casson-Rennie, published a statement on the organisation’s website and social media platforms in recent days, saying: “Friday, August 2 is a very sad day for FASD Ireland as we are forced to suspend services that support people living with FASD across Ireland.
"We hope to resume our services as soon as the allocated funding is released. We are particularly grateful to have the unwavering commitment of Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD. Our website continues to be available for advice and signposting: fasdireland.ie. For any enquiries - please contact office@fasdireland.ie.”
According to figures published by the World Health Organisation in 2017, it is estimated that approximately 600 babies are born each year in Ireland with the syndrome. Ireland ranks third out of 187 countries for prevalence of FASD, behind South Africa and Croatia.
Among the indicators of FASD are ADHD, low body weight, poor co-ordination, poor memory, attention difficulties, difficulties in school (particularly around maths), and learning disabilities.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said: “The HSE has been funded to assist FASD Ireland to provide supports for children with FASD who attend CDNTs and the Department is currently engaged with the HSE to establish the current status of this funding allocation.”
