Vital elderly service in Offaly lost but politicians commit to finding replacement

FOLLOWING the recent announcement that the vital older people's service, Homefix, will end for good at the end of August, a number of local politicians have met with the company to discuss the problem.
The meeting included Offaly's three Dáil deputies, the six local councillors from the Birr MD area (Cllrs Hughie Egan, Peter Ormond, Sean Maher, John Leahy, Audrey Hennessy Kennedy and Eleanor Clendennen) and representatives from the Homefix Board.
The politicians expressed their disappointment on learning of the closure of Homefix after 17 years of service. A wide range of issues were discussed, including the reasons behind the closure and its implications for the local community.
After what they referred to as “careful consideration”, and an “in-depth discussion”, everyone in the meeting agreed that the current Homefix model couldn't be saved as it was “no longer suitable going forward.”
However, the politicians agreed to explore alternative solutions and find a partner in the area that would provide an Older people's service in the future for West and South Offaly.
In a public statement, Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy thanked the workers and board members “for their work over the last 17 years and for the support they gave the customers. If anyone has been affected by the short notice and sudden closure please contact any of the Councillors for assistance.”
Based in Banagher, Homefix has played a vital role in supporting local residents, providing essential home maintenance and repair services, and contributing to the community’s well-being.
“The closure is deeply regrettable”, commented Cllr Hennessy Kennedy, “as Homefix has been a trusted and reliable service provider for almost two decades. Its absence will be felt by many, especially the elderly who have come to rely on its services.”
The Councillors also raised the issue during the July monthly meeting of Offaly County Council when they expressed their concerns over the closure and the impact it will have on the elderly of the Birr Municipal District area.
In another public statement, Deputy John Clendennen pointed out that the announcement that Homefix will close had “understandably caused concern within the local community. Since this news emerged, I have engaged directly with representatives from Pobal and met with members of the Homefix board, alongside other public representatives, to discuss the decision and explore possible solutions. It is deeply disappointing to see a service that has operated with such distinction for the past 17 years come to an end. Homefix has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of many across West Offaly.” Deputy Clendennen said he is “firmly focused” on what can be done to ensure a similar service is available going forward.
The Deputy pointed out that there are other Community Services Programme (CSP) models funded by Pobal that provide vital minor home repair services to people aged over 65. “I am committed to exploring these models to identify a suitable and sustainable replacement for our area, working will all stakeholders including my colleagues Cllr Hughie Egan and Cllr Eleanor Clendennen. I have a commitment from Pobal that funding will be ring-fenced for West Offaly, should a viable replacement service be established. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to ensure that this essential support is reinstated for the benefit of those who rely on it.”
Deputy Carol Nolan said she has written to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, to try and establish “his openness to meeting local representatives following the announcement that Homefix is to cease operations. Homefix is funded through Pobal, which in turn receives its funding from Minister Calleary’s Department. The announcement that Homefix is to close has left many elderly locals reeling and deeply disappointed.
“This decision has come like a bolt out of the blue. Indeed, no indication was conveyed to me as a local TD that this decision was in the process of being made, nor were any difficulties flagged,” said Deputy Nolan.
“If there are difficulties around funding then I think they really should have been highlighted sooner because this is a service that a lot of elderly people who come to my offices rely on.
“I am more than happy to try and facilitate a meeting with the Minister to see if we can resolve any outstanding issues, or even identify what the primary issues are.
“It would be a huge pity to lose this invaluable service without at least putting up a fight for its retention,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
In a statement the Board and Management of the Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC) said they “are disappointed that the difficult decision has been made to wind up the service provided be West and South Offaly Community Network (known locally as Homefix). Homefix is a separate legal company from OLDC and OLDC has no oversight or responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Homefix. The decision of Homefix to wind up was a decision they made alone.
“Homefix, as a Company Limited by Guarantee is bound to run its business in a sustainable and proper manner, a fact that OLDC fully recognises and respects.
“OLDC is acutely aware of the critical needs being met by Homefix and commits to working with relevant government and statutory bodies, and other stakeholders, to assist with the provision of a sustainable replacement service for those who need it most.”

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https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/tullamore-tribune/1857593/shock-as-vital-offaly-homefix-is-set-to-close.html