Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) has refused to provide £15,000 match-funding to Disability Sport NI (DSNI) to retain Ms. Henry’s post on a part-time basis, buy says it “is seeking to continue to deliver a wide range of inclusive leisure programmes in the most effective way possible.”
Employed by DSNI since 2007, Ms. Henry was tasked to develop and maintain an inclusive sports and leisure programme which gives people with disabilities in the Fermanagh District Council area an equal opportunity to lead a fit and active lifestyle. Ongoing projects include boccia, new age kurling, Fermanagh Lakers Paralympic club, a disability gym programme and a schools calendar of events.
The Council says it will continue to deliver this current programme until March 31 through the continued use of casual staff and Active Communities coaches. It will allocate the £15,000 directly to the provision of inclusive leisure programmes in the future.
“At the end of the current programme, the Council will, as normal, consider what the new activity programme will be, taking into account previous usage, demand and location,” a spokeswoman says.
However, Principal of Willowbridge, Julie Murphy is “annoyed” because her Wednesday class, taken by Active Communities Coach Marty Carney, will no longer be available because Mr. Carney is now required to take one of Ms. Henry’s inclusive leisure classes.
“We’ve lost out because Roisin has left; it’s so disappointing,” Ms. Murphy states. She adds: “It’s difficult to take children with social, emotional and behavioural problems out of the school for sports, so we rely on coaches coming to us. The kids take time to get to know and trust the coaches. Marty would have done boccia, circuits and multi-sports, which will be missed.”
Ms. Murphy intends to contact the Council for clarification on the future of the Monday and Thursday Active Communities classes at the school.
Kevin O’Neill, Chief Executive of DSNI told The Impartial Reporter: “The ending of the Fermanagh Inclusive Leisure Project on March 31, 2015 is part of a series of cuts in our charity’s programmes and services as a result of a large reduction in government funding this year and further anticipated cuts next year.”
The FODC spokeswoman stated: “Due to a cut to DSNI’s core funding, DSNI is unable to provide any funding towards this post. DSNI asked the Council to consider providing the Council’s 50 per cent funding so the post could be provided on a part-time basis. Over recent years however, the Council has been providing and delivering additional inclusive leisure programmes through casual coaches and Active Communities coaches. This has worked extremely well and has increased the number of participants.”
Continuing this process “is a more effective way of delivering inclusive leisure programmes as the coaches can be employed in the areas in which they live,” she adds.
“By allocating more funding towards casual and Active Communities coaches, the Council will be able to build on the positive work that these coaches have already delivered.”
Source: The Impartial Reporter
