Staffing shortages are among the biggest challenges faced by Galway’s main disability support services organisation.

The AGM of Ability West last week heard that in 2024, it operated twenty-eight residential homes, twenty-seven day services, six respite services, two training centres and is patron to four special schools.

Services were provided to 463 individuals with intellectual disabilities and co-morbidities, with additional support from 46 home-sharing families. The organisation delivered over 10,000 nights of respite for adults and more than 2,000 nights for children.

The Annual Report and Financial Statements show that despite significant challenges — including staffing shortages, compliance with regulatory requirements, and growing service demands — Ability West secured additional funding through intensive negotiations with the HSE.

This funding, obtained in December 2024, was crucial in stabilising service delivery and mitigating immediate financial risks, and both the Chairperson and CEO thanked the HSE for securing this funding.

Due to difficulties in recruiting permanent staff, Ability West relied heavily on agency staffing. This not only incurred substantial costs but also impacted employee engagement and service consistency.

Staffing shortages also contributed to vacant Person in Charge positions across several residential homes — the Human Resources department have significant recruitment efforts in place to hire suitable candidates.

These staffing challenges were a factor in the non-compliances identified during HIQA inspections in 2024. However, Ability West remains committed to working closely with HIQA and the HSE to meet all regulatory obligations moving forward.

A highlight of the AGM was a moving presentation by guest speaker Geraldine Lavelle, who shared her personal journey following a serious traffic accident that left her with significant spinal injuries. Her story of resilience and advocacy for people with physical disabilities inspired all in attendance.

In his opening address, Ray Kelly, Chair of Ability West, expressed his gratitude to former Chair Kevin Newell, who stepped down in June 2024.

He thanked Board members for their continued support and highlighted emerging challenges, particularly those related to the ageing population of individuals supported by the organisation — and their families.

“We are now facing new crises when ageing parents can no longer care for their loved ones,” he said.

Chief Executive Julie Silke Daly echoed these concerns. “We’re increasingly managing crisis situations that require housing, staffing, and funding — all of which are difficult to source,” she said.

She added: “As people age, their needs change. Relationships and living arrangements may also need to evolve. That means we must remain adaptable and ready to respond with respect, support, and person-centred solutions.

“We know that we haven’t been able to meet the needs of every person we support and their families — and for that, we ask for your understanding as we navigate the depth of current capacity challenges.”

Ms Silke Daly, who also thanked the HSE for their ongoing support, introduced the organisation’s new five-year strategic plan, developed with a focus on the people Ability West supports. The strategy is built around four core themes:

■ Enhance Governance and Management

■ Person-Centred Support

■ Value and Invest in People

■ Sustainability and Improvement

“This is a values-driven roadmap that will guide our work as we move forward, together,” Ms Silke Daly said.

The AGM also adopted a more inclusive and celebratory tone this year. Persons supported by Ability West introduced segments of the meeting, performed songs, and shared videos of their daily lives and achievements — making the AGM truly their own.

Liam Hynes played a wonderful version of Angels; a minutes’ silence was held for the persons supported who had passed away during the year and John Farragher played his guitar and sang ‘The Robin’ in memory of the deceased persons.

The event concluded with a heartfelt performance of ‘Stronger Together’ by a group from Brooklodge, which met with rapturous applause.

Pictured: The Brooklodge Team who performed at the AGM of Ability West, during which the organisation presented its 2024 Annual Report, Financial Statements, and its Strategic Plan for 2025–2030.