When the news of proposed cuts of over 70% to children’s respite services in Derry/Londonderry first broke in November, the mother of one 15 year old boy Jacqueline Gallagher went on air to question how a life-line like this could even make its way onto a list of cuts.  In describing these children as ‘Little angels with broken wings’ Jacqueline touched on the essence of this issue , these cuts target the most innocent of the innocent and the most vulnerable of the vulnerable. 

The business case for these cuts is witheringly weak, the savings are nominal but the impact profound. They shame our city and they shame the Western Trust.

Beyond that, these planned cuts when actioned will leave Newry (pop. 30,000) and Omagh (pop.50,000) each with 5 times the level of service capacity that will remain in Derry / Londonderry (pop 110,00). 

In short, these cuts not only target the most vulnerable children in our society and their families/carers but they create a situation of untenable disparity in the provision of these services in Derry, and are unjust and inequitable.

They must be fought.

We call on our political representatives to bring the Western Trust to account on these decisions, and we call on the other carers in our community and right thinking people everywhere to register their support for our cause.

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